Tameside Toy Appeal 2026

Sam O’Grady is a Senior Early Years Worker at Grow’s Hyde Flowery Centre. She explains how a Toy Appeal donation helped make such a difference to a child in need.

“Two days before Christmas Day, we took an emergency foster placement of a two-year-old little boy. The placement was completely unexpected, and with such short notice there was no opportunity to prepare for Christmas or to purchase age-appropriate gifts, books, or comfort items. At a time that could have felt unsettling and overwhelming for him, the support provided through the Toy Appeal, delivered by Grow in Tameside, made an immediate and meaningful difference.

The gifts provided by Grow in Tameside ensured that he was able to experience the excitement and magic of Christmas morning, despite the sudden changes in his life. Having presents to open, toys to explore, and items he could call his own helped create a sense of normality, security, and belonging during an otherwise uncertain time. The joy and engagement he showed while playing highlighted just how important this support was for his emotional wellbeing.

Beyond the gifts themselves, the Toy Appeal support through Grow in Tameside relieved a significant amount of stress for us as foster carers, allowing us to focus fully on helping him settle, feel safe, and begin to trust his new environment. This generosity played a vital role in turning a potentially difficult Christmas into a positive, comforting, and memorable experience for a very young child at a crucial moment in his life”.

We need donations of new and unwrapped toys/gifts for children aged 0-18.

The appeal will run from Monday 9 November 2026 until Friday 11 December 2026 (which will be the last day we can accept donations). Just drop off your gift at one of our dedicated drop-off locations.

Every gift donated to the Tameside Toy Appeal will be given to a child in Tameside whose family is experiencing poverty. In previous years this appeal has been incredibly successful and we have been able to donate so many toys and gifts to ensure that disadvantaged children in Tameside wake up to something under their tree on Christmas morning. Together, we can make great things happen again this Christmas!

Here are a few gift idea suggestions...

• 0-5 years : Sensory toys, books, building blocks, bath toys, play mats, teethers, dolls, cars, activity toys, fancy dress costumes, musical toys, puzzles
• 5-11 years : Colouring books and pencils, jigsaws, arts and craft kits, Play dough, Lego, science kits, remote control toys, sports games, board games, fidget toys
• 12-18 years : Stationery, cosmetic gift sets, headphones, watches, speakers, hot water bottles, make up, card games, snoodies
• All ages : Books, gloves, hats, pyjamas, scarves, slippers, socks

Alternatively, you can also make a monetary donation to our Just Giving page here: -https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/00fd94fb-a750-447e-b356-7c27213d61fc and the money we raise will be used to purchase gifts for the categories of children we have received the least donations for.

The Just Giving page will remain open for donations until Wednesday 23 December 2026.

You can take your donation(s) to any of the drop-off points across Tameside listed below who are kindly supporting this year's appeal. More drop-off points are being added daily, please keep checking for a location near to you:

Ashton

You can take your donation(s) to any of the drop-off points across Tameside listed below who are kindly supporting this year's appeal. More drop-off points are being added daily, please keep checking for a location near to you:

Audenshaw

Denton

Droylsden

You can take your donation(s) to any of the drop-off points across Tameside listed below who are kindly supporting this year's appeal. More drop-off points are being added daily, please keep checking for a location near to you:

Dukinfield

Mossley

Stalybridge

You can take your donation(s) to any of the drop-off points across Tameside listed below who are kindly supporting this year's appeal. More drop-off points are being added daily, please keep checking for a location near to you:

Longdendale

Hattersley

Hyde

If your family would like to receive support from this year's Tameside Toy Appeal please get in touch with your local Referral Agency, who will complete a Nomination Form on your behalf and send to the nearest Children's Centre.

Your Local Referral Agencies include; support workers, schools, doctors, housing associations, children's centres, social prescribing team, social worker and local community groups.

Please Note: Action Together cannot accept nominations directly. We facilitate the appeal but do not make referrals - please contact a Referral Agency local to you as detailed above.

If you are a Referral Agency and require a Nomination Form, please contact: development@actiontogether.org.uk

If you would like to host a private Tameside Toy Appeal 2026 collection for your employees, volunteers, students, service users, etc please email Alexandra Angell: alexandra.angell@actiontogether.org.uk

We can arrange for one of our volunteer 'Toy Taxi' drivers to collect your donations and take them to the nearest Tameside Children's Centre.

Or, if your organisation/group/school plan to carry out some festive fundraising for this year's Appeal you can donate any money that you raise directly to our dedicated Just Giving page.

• Age appropriate gifts will be provided for children and young people aged between 0 and 18 years
• It is our intention that every child or young person that is nominated will receive a toy or gift
• The gifts will be delivered to local Children’s Centres, and toys will be selected for nominated families
• The Children’s Centres will then contact people to arrange a time for collection