As the cost-of-living crisis continues to make life tough for people across the country, many families will be unable to celebrate Christmas as they would have wanted to.

There are lots of places across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole where you can donate toys to help make a difference to families this Christmas.

Cash for Kids

The Cash for Kids Mission Christmas is well underway with several drop off points across the area.

The charity hopes to reach as many children in poverty as they can, with the cost-of-living crisis causing more families to have to decide between heating or eating, let alone buying Christmas gifts.

Pick up points include The Letterbox in Westbourne, Verwood House Care Home, Sainsbury’s Talbot Heath and Tesco in Branksome.

Broadstone

In Broadstone, local councillors have been operating this years’ reverse Father Christmas, with gifts distributed to children in care. Chocolate and sweets are also gifted to those who receive free school meals. Gifts, toys and sweet treats, can be bought unwrapped to the Liberal Hall until Tuesday December 13, or a pickup can be arranged.

Salvation Army

Other charities collecting gifts this Christmas include the Salvation Army. With sites in Winton and Boscombe, gifts can be dropped off for their toy appeal and money can be donated for the work that the charity does for those facing hardship over the Christmas period.

Tesco

Tesco in Kinson have been collecting toys for Home Start Wessex and Dorset Children’s Foundation at their store.

Lucy's Salon

Lucy’s Salon in Christchurch has partnered with Christchurch Food Bank, to help provide gifts to those in need. They have set up a Facebook group to help with the collection and ask for donations to be new toys or games.

Lidl

The supermarket Lidl have launched a nationwide appeal for new or unopened toys and games, to be gifted to local children in need. Toys can be dropped off at any store until December 16, in Lidl Bear’s Toy Bank. The supermarket has donated £125,000 to local charities over the festive period.

Ashley's Birthday Bank

Local charity Ashley’s Birthday Bank, based in Christchurch, have set up an Amazon wish-list for gifts, which can be purchased to be delivered directly to the charity, before being gifted to those in need. The charity recently collected donations from staff and customers at The Works across the area.

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