The Salvation Army in Northern Ireland is urging local communities to contribute new toys to their Christmas Present Appeal and spread the joy of the holidays to families whose children would otherwise not receive a gift. With the costs of living increasing, demand for support from this year’s appeal is expected to be at a record high.
During the next weeks, The Salvation Army will be collecting presents at 11 Tesco stores across Northern Ireland. The collection banks are located in the carparks of the superstores in Belfast (Ballygomartin Rd), Ballymena, Coleraine, Limavady, Dungannon, Ballymoney, Newtownabbey and Castlereagh, and in the Tesco Extra stores in Newtownards, Carrickfergus and Belfast (Newtownbreda Rd).
The suggested gift list includes options for all ages, such as educational toys, baby clothes, bath toys, books, dolls, action figures, sports equipment, clothing, toiletries, gloves, scarves, hats, T-shirts, hair accessories and headphones for older children.
The presents will be collected at each store until 15 December after which they will be distributed to children in need by The Salvation Army local chapters.
In 2022, The Salvation Army appeal, along with other donors, helped over 2,500 families (more than 5,200 children) across Northern Ireland.
Tesco Community Champion Ronny McFall, who is helping coordinate the campaign at the Tesco Superstore in Ballymena, said: “The collection point in the parking lot has proved very popular over the past years. It is the perfect way for customers to donate to this very worthy cause.
“Our customers love that the donations are going to the local community.”
Kirk Bradley, Head of Corporate Partnerships at the Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd, commented: “Partnerships like this one with Tesco are important to further support the great work of The Salvation Army.
“These donations will bring the joy of Christmas to children across Northern Ireland who would otherwise go without. These heart-warming gifts echo a message of hope for families, through the simple act of giving.”
Tony McElroy, Tesco’s Community Manager for Northern Ireland, added: “At Tesco, we want to help the most vulnerable in Northern Ireland, and we are glad to be able to lend our support to such an important and worthwhile cause such as The Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal.”
Members of the public and businesses are also encouraged to make a donation online through the JustGiving page www.justgiving.com/page/familyappeal
For further information, visit www.salvationarmy.org.uk/family-appeal, call (028) 9067 5000 or email familyappeal@salvationarmy.org.uk #FamilyAppeal.
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