The Christmas Toy Appeal from Central Co-op is in full swing, and after spreading festive cheer to several stores already, the festive truck is bringing merriment back to Oakham, Rutland this Friday, the 25th of November 2022.

Central Co-op is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK, with a heritage stretching back over 175 years and interests in food, funeral, floral and property investment.

It actively campaigns for food justice and works with FareShare Midlands and a network of local food banks. It also adds £1 to every Healthy Start Voucher redeemed in store and supports six schools in partnership with Magic Breakfasts.

It invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities through its Community Dividend Fund scheme which has seen over £109,769.25 shared out between 121 good causes in 2022.

This Friday, Oakham customers can see the truck in person as it picks up toys to deliver to those in need, with festivities at the store for all the family to enjoy.

The Toy Appeal, which is running from 2nd November to 2nd December, is collecting toys for charities such as Family-Action, The Salvation Army, Rainbows, and – for the first time – Play Action International, who is distributing toys to families in the UK affected by the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.

Toy donations must be new, unwrapped and can include puzzles, games, soft toys, outdoor toys, books, dolls/figures, and art materials, with all stores and funeral homes featuring donation points throughout the Appeal. Food bank donation points can also be found at all stores, which will be distributed to local food banks across the trading area. 

Over 10,000 toys were donated last year as a result of the efforts of customers, ensuring that as many children as possible had a gift to open on Christmas Day.  

Kirsty Coxon, Corporate Partnership Fundraiser at Rainbows, said: "It is wonderful for Rainbows to be part of the Central Co-op's Christmas Toy Appeal once again. Christmas is a special time for us at the hospice, when wonderful memories are made. It is lovely for the children and young people who are with us over the festive period to be able to receive extra gifts and we would like to thank everyone who takes part in the scheme and supports us."

The Christmas Toy Appeal is one part of Central Co-op's Goodwill To All campaign this winter, including Buy One, Give One Hot Meal in partnership with FareShare Midlands, where 25p from the sale of products in Central Co-op's Star Deals range will be donated to FareShare Midlands to help provide a hot meal for someone in need this Christmas.

Customers can also expect to see food donation points in all of Central Co-op's store, as charities have reported a major fall in donations at the same time as increased demand.

New to the Goodwill To All campaign for 2022 is an opportunity for Central Co-op Members and customers to win £1000 in Co-op vouchers through an exciting Goodwill Prize Draw, and anyone who makes a purchase from a Central Co-op store within the month of November will be able to enter their receipt details into an online Prize Draw here.

For further details, head to the Central England Co-operative website, Facebook, and Twitter.