Hungry Horse is launching its Christmas toy donation initiative for a fourth consecutive year – following new research revealing more than two million UK children could go without a present this Christmas.
The scheme, which has seen more than 30,000 presents donated since it began in 2021, is designed to provide gifts to those in need while helping parents declutter their homes by putting new and preloved toys to good use.
This year, Hungry Horse is aiming to collect a whopping 5,000 toys in the first 24 hours of the Toy Boxing initiative, with the pub brand targeting more than 20,000 donations in total.
The charitable drive follows research from the pub brand revealing nearly one in five UK parents (18%) know a child who won’t receive a present on December 25th – an estimated 2.2m children.
Mums, dads and guardians will spend 49% more on presents for their children this year when compared to 2023, the study found, with total outlay going from an average of £188 to £280 per household, as prices continue to rise.
As a result, nearly half (49%) are worried about being able to afford presents for their kids this Christmas, while more than three quarters (77%) of parents would be happy to buy and/or receive pre-loved presents for their children this festive season.
As part of its Toy Boxing initiative, Hungry Horse is opening donation stations in more than 200 pubs across the UK between November 14th and December 19th, ensuring donated toys arrive with the children who need them most in time for the big day.
To get involved, all anyone who wants to donate has to do is head to their local Hungry Horse pub and drop any preloved, new or unused toys in the designated donation stations in pub.
Pubs will then supply the donated toys to a nominated local charity, which will provide them to those in need within the community in the run-up to Christmas.
Popular TV personality and mum-of-two Charlotte Dawson launched the campaign today by unveiling a giant toy donations totaliser, showing a running total of donated gifts.
She said: “Christmas is the most magical time of year and, as a mum, I know how much it means for kids to have something special to open on the big day.
“No child should have to go without that moment of joy, which is why I’m so proud to support Hungry Horse’s Toy Boxing donation scheme once again, which is running for a fourth straight year.
“By working together and donating any new or pre-loved toys to children that need them in your local area, we can help ensure that as many kids as possible get the Christmas they deserve.”
