In this season of giving, we are calling on Idlewells visitors to donate old or unwanted toys to families in the local community who struggle to buy new toys at Christmas-time.
This is a great opportunity for once-loved toys and games to go to a new caring home. We are welcoming board games, puzzles, wooden or plastic toys, dressing-up costumes, books, toy animals and dolls – just to name a few. These generous donations will be sorted and distributed to local children who otherwise may not receive toys or games during the festive season.
Donated toys must be in usable condition. For example, jigsaw puzzles and board games must contain all pieces. However, sets such as Lego or Sylvanian Families, may be incomplete or in loose parts. Ideally, donations should be packed in a bag or box that you are happy to leave with us.
Idlewells Shopping Centre is committed to servicing and supporting Sutton-in-Ashfield and the people who live and work here. This initiative also promotes the recycling and reuse of old or unwanted toys, preventing them from going to landfill. According to the British Heart Foundation, more than a quarter of UK parents admit to throwing away toys still in working order, so this is a vital opportunity to reduce the amount of waste generated by household toys.
Chloe O’Donnell, Centre Manager, says: “We are so excited to be launching this initiative designed to bring our community together to help less fortunate families celebrate Christmas with their loved ones. It is an added benefit that we will also be reducing the huge waste caused by clearing out unwanted toys during the festive period.”
If you would like to contribute to this scheme, please make a donation anytime up until Christmas by dropping off your unwanted items at the Sutton-in-Ashfield library within the shopping centre. Alternatively, you can call us on 01623 443368 or message us on Facebook to arrange a drop-off time with our management team.
If you represent or are involved with a local community group and would like to receive information about how you can benefit from this initiative, please email Chloe O’Donnell via chloe@idlewells.co.uk.