Supporting the City Council’s Toy Appeal

Now in its 35th year, Southampton City Council’s popular annual appeal sees people and local businesses donate thousands of toys that are then gifted to young people up to 18 years old who are supported by the Council’s children’s services and families who are facing financial difficulty. The aim is about spreading some festive cheer and making sure they have a special present to open on Christmas Day.

This year we've donated a range of bikes as well as smaller toys, gift vouchers and items most in need. Men’s First Team player, Ryan Manning made a visit to the council’s Toy Appeal office which is ran by over 300 volunteers. Ryan spent time speaking to volunteers as well as helping to sort through the toys donated.

Ryan said: “Christmas can be a difficult time for so many people, particularly young people. It was great to be able to come down and meet the volunteers who are all working so hard and contribute to help make sure no young person is waking up on Christmas morning feeling alone or forgotten.”

Director of Community for Saints, Greg Baker added: “We're proud to support the Southampton City Council Toy Appeal again. It’s important to us that we help to make a difference in the lives of people in our city.

We hope this donation can help spread some festive cheer and bring a smile to those most in need.”

Councillor Alex Winning, Cabinet Member for Children and Learning said: “With the help of the local community, businesses and partners such as Saints, we're hoping to make Christmas special for as many children and young people who are looked after by Children’s Services as possible. It was great to welcome Ryan down at the Toy Appeal sorting room to see first-hand how important the appeal is to our city, particularly for babies and teenagers, ages that we traditionally struggle to collect toys and gifts for. Every donation will make a difference to a child or young person in need this Christmas.”

Members of the public can still contribute to the appeal, if they're able to do so, and a number of toy and gift drop-off points are available in the city, including Westquay Shopping Centre. The full list of available drop-off points:

• Westquay level three, next to Auntie Anne’s Pretzels - Any day (9am-8pm)

• Civic Centre or One Guildhall Square reception desk - Monday-Friday (9.30am-5pm)

• Libraries: Central, Shirley, Lordshill, Thornhill, Bitterne and Portswood - Monday-Saturday (10am-4pm)

• Tudor House - Monday-Thursday (10am-3pm) and Saturday-Sunday (10am-5pm)

• Southampton City Art Gallery - Monday-Friday (10am-3pm) and Saturday (10am-5pm)

• Sea City Museum - Any day (10am-5pm)

• Marlands Customer Service Desk on the ground floor - Any day (9am-5pm)

• The MAST - Any day (10am-5pm)

• St Patricks Catholic Primary School, Woolston - Monday-Friday (9am–3pm)

All drop-off points will be open until 4pm on Sunday 17th December.

This year there's also an increased need for presents for older children aged 12-18, particularly for young men so a wish list has been created, which we've supplied presents from as well. If you want to contribute, please see the wish list below:

• Man bags

• Touch screen gloves

• Headphones

• Hair dryers

• Ruck sacks

• Hats and gloves

• Lava Lamps

• Sports equipment (football, basketball, goalie gloves)

• Wireless speakers

• Boxing gloves

• Makeup