Rotary Christmas Toy Box Appeal 2026: Help us to reach every child, in every refuge this Christmas

Despite Christmas being several months away, the Rotary Christmas Toy Box Team together with Kids in Mind charity are busy behind the scenes preparing for this year’s Rotary Christmas Toy Box Appeal.

Last year’s appeal raised over £97,000 and enabled us to deliver boxes of toys to more than 3,200 children.

Reflecting on the scale of last year’s incredible achievement, Kids in Mind co-founder and volunteer, Rotarian Gordon Moulds said: “We knew the target was ambitious and the operation was a real challenge. It was a phenomenal community team effort.”

Last year’s appeal brought in more than 200 Rotary members and Rotaractors who got together to sort toys, pack boxes and prepare them for distribution across the UK.

This project would not be possible without the generous support of Rotary members and clubs, businesses, community organisations, schools and individuals who get involved each year, that is why this year we appeal to our Rotary and Rotaract communities again tohelp us to make this year’s appeal an even bigger success.

“Rotary Christmas Toy Boxes are more than a box of toys – they are a reminder to each child that they are seen, valued and not
forgotten.”

Why It Matters

Behind the sparkle of the festive season, thousands of children across the UK and Ireland live with the hidden impact of domestic abuse and family breakdown. For them, Christmas can be a time of fear and uncertainty rather than joy.

According to the NSPCC, one in five children will have lived with domestic abuse by the time they reach 18. The effects are long-lasting: children who experience early trauma are at far greater risk of developing serious mental health challenges and turning to drugs or alcohol later in life.

Rotary Christmas Toy Boxes are more than parcels of toys – they are a reminder to each child that they are seen, valued and not forgotten.

Following last year’s appeal, Julian Margolin, Kids in Mind CEO said: “Rotary clubs funded 3,237 toy boxes last Christmas. That is not simply 3,237 boxes. It is 3,237 individual children who received something new, personal and entirely their own at one of the most bewildering moments of their lives.

“Rotary's contribution is practical, measurable and immediate.”

“Those boxes were not simply presents. They were tools of comfort, play, expression and connection.”

Ways you can get involved

There several ways that you can support this year’s Rotary Christmas Toy Box Appeal:

Tell people about it - by sharing details of the appeal throughout your district and local communities it will help to raise awareness and may prompt others to get involved.

Volunteer to help pack boxes - for more details, get in touch with the Steve Cartwright, the project Team Lead, by email at: funday@rotarygbi.org

Donate to the appeal - Maybe you could arrange a fundraising event? A donation of £30 towards the appeal buys a box of brand-new toys, worth around £80. You will find the donation form at: www.rotarygbi.org/toybox.

Watch the recording of our launch webinar and find out how you can help create some Christmas magic for these children.

Key points to remember:

• The Rotary Christmas Toy Box Appeal is open to anyone who wishes to donate, whether you are a member of Rotary GB&I or not.

• Kids in Mind charity are Rotary GB&I’s valued partner for the Rotary Christmas Toy Box Appeal and they are responsible for sourcing, packing and delivering the toy boxes. To avoid any confusion, please do not seek to approach a refuge directly to contribute.

• Donations can be made with a minimum of £30 per toy box, or multiples thereof. It is quick and easy to make a Donation. The link to donate can be found at:www.rotarygbi/toybox

• If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the team by email at: funday@rotarygbi.org

Every Child, Every Refuge

The Rotary Christmas Toy Box Appeal is only possible because of the generosity and commitment of Rotary volunteers. This year, we invite you all to play a part.

Please watch the appeal launch webinar (above) to find out how you can help us to achieve the goal of every child, in every refuge receiving a Rotary Christmas Toy Box this year.

Remember, your Rotary Christmas Toy Box district advisers are there to help you. Yourdistrict advisers have all been informed of the details for their district.

You can also reach out to the RCFD Team directly at: funday@rotarygbi.org.

For more information and to donate, visit: www.rotarygbi.org/toybox