Across Sunderland, one in three children are growing up in a household experiencing poverty. For many families under financial pressure, toys and games can become unaffordable luxuries – meaning too many children miss out on the simple joy and vital benefits of play.
The Toy Loan was created to help change this. As a lending library of toys and games, it gives children access to play opportunities they might otherwise go without. But we can’t do it alone.
We are proud to launch our community campaign, “Play it Forward: Share the Joy of Play.” We’re calling on residents, businesses, and organisations across Sunderland to step forward and make a difference today.
Here’s how you can help:
- Donate toys and games – We welcome good-quality, clean, and complete items suitable for children of all ages. A great opportunity to empty the toy cupboard of items the kids haven’t touched in months!
- Give new toys – Brand-new items are especially valuable for children who have very little of their own.
- Make a cash donation – Monetary contributions allow us to purchase toys where they are needed most.
Every contribution, big or small, will go directly towards bringing joy, learning, and opportunity into a child’s life.
This is more than a donation drive. It’s a chance to put unused toys to good use, support local families, and ensure every child in Sunderland has the chance to play, learn, and thrive. It also supports the environment by preventing toys from going into landfill and giving them a second life.
Drop off your donations on Friday, 10th July , between 10 and 4 at Unit 27. If you would like to donate items outside of this time, contact socialenterprise@ne-bic.co.uk, who will arrange to collect your items on our behalf.
Together, we can make a real difference.