It’s just 71 days until Christmas! . . .
Together, we can make the season merrier and brighter for everyone.
. . . and we’re looking forward to making the season merry and bright for children and families who are experiencing difficult times this year.
Our Toy Appeal 2026 runs from Wednesday 12th November - Saturday 11th December. Throughout the appeal you’ll find Toy Donation Points in all OurCoop stores, funeral homes, travel agencies and nurseries where you can drop off your donations whenever you’re visiting us.
We’ll also be popping up at a selection of our sites to raise awareness of the Toy Appeal, chat with our members and bring some much-needed cheer in the lead up to Christmas.
During these visits you’ll get to taste samples from our delicious festive product range - including mince pies, spiced stollen, Irresistible hand cooked crisp flavours including pigs in blankets or Nduja & Hot Honey! and more.
Come and see us at a site near to you.
See our draft pop-up Festive Van Event programme below.
As in previous years, we’ll donate what we collect to local charities close to our sites and we’ll also work with national charities to deliver gifts to families in need further afield.
We only ask that donations are brand new and don't reference war or violence in any way – so, no toy weapons or fighting games. Our charities also suggest we avoid gifts that are edible or that require ongoing costs e.g. anything battery operated or requiring additional purchases to enjoy them, such as video games and DVDs.
Together, we can make the season merrier and brighter for everyone.
Frequently asked questions
Why are you doing this appeal?
Each year throughout November and December, we organise a Toy Appeal simply to support families in the communities we serve and to make the season a little merrier and brighter for everyone.
Members, customers and colleagues are invited to donate new toys and games which we then share with families in need either through existing local relationships or via regional charity partner organisations.
The Toy Appeal brings joy to many and provides a positive experience for OurCoop as a Society embedded in its community.
How does it work?
The appeal presents two opportunities -.
• Toy Donation Points in all OurCoop sites where people can drop off donations whenever they’re visiting us. This also gives us the opportunity to build on our local community relationships and connect with new charities
• Festive Toy Van Tour where we ‘pop-up’ at a selection of sites to say hello to our members and customers, sharing updates and festive food tasting and generally bringing some festive cheer to our local communities.
Where do the donations go?
Local giving
We work with local charities and Food Banks to strengthen our relationship with communities and to ensure that local families receive some benefit as donations are shared where they are needed most.
Local charities have previously included - Salcare Food Bank, Clay Cross foodbank, HELP Peterborough, Lichfield Family Hub, Heart of Marston, HELP Peterborough, The Hope Centre, The Welcome Centre, Rainbows, Stafford Food Bank, Bassetlaw Council Food Bank, Kettering Food Bank, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Living Hope Chesterfield, Bungay Community Support, Derby City Mission, Thongsbridge Church, Trussell Trust Food Bank, Jigsaw Foodbank Wirksworth, Leeway Domestic abuse and violence services, Chesterfield Food Bank, Elaine’s Toy & Gift Appeal, Lichfield.
National Distribution.
If required – we may work with a selection of larger charities chosen due to their existing networks, locality and ability to reach families in need everywhere.
When and where can I donate?
This year our appeal runs from 12th November to 11th December. We’re collecting toy donations across all OurCoop sites, including stores, funeral homes, travel agencies and nurseries, so we can support local families facing difficult circumstances this Christmas.
What can I donate?
We ask that donations are brand new and don't reference war or violence in any way – so, no toy weapons or fighting games.
Our partner charities also suggest we avoid gifts that are edible or that demand ongoing costs e.g. anything battery operated or requiring additional purchases to enjoy them – such as video games and DVDs.
We’d also happily accept toiletries and books from the schools’ curriculum.
Can I donate cash?
We’re encouraging people to take the time and care to donate a physical toy or game and not to give cash, however, if donating money is the only optioin, we’ll have a collection pot on the Festive Toy Van and will use the cash collected to buy new toys to donate to our partner charities.
