Generous shoppers at Tesco stores across Staffordshire have been praised after donating hundreds of brand-new toys to ensure local children did not go without a gift on Christmas Day.
A Campaign Bringing Festive Cheer
In the run-up to the 2025 festive season, Tesco launched its annual Toy Donation campaign, calling on customers to support families in their own communities. The aim was simple: to provide gifts for local children who might otherwise not receive a present and to spread some much-needed festive magic.
The response from the public was overwhelmingly positive. Across the county, customers enthusiastically purchased and donated 797 brand-new toys, leaving them at special in-store donation points throughout November and December.
Gifts Distributed to Local Organisations
The donated toys were not sent to a central warehouse but were carefully channelled directly into the local community. Tesco store colleagues personally selected partner organisations within Staffordshire to receive the gifts.
These included well-known local groups such as:
- Cannock Food Bank
- The Young Ones
- Gingerbread Family Support
These organisations then took on the vital role of distributing the presents to families, ensuring they reached children in time to be opened on Christmas morning.
Community Champions Lead the Way
Nickey Willis, the Community Champion at Tesco's Cannock Superstore, expressed immense pride in the local effort. She highlighted that the toy campaign complemented the store's year-round community work, including the Tesco Stronger Starts and Community Food Connection programmes.
"This year’s toy donation campaign gave customers a fantastic opportunity to support local families and ensure children in our community had something to open on Christmas Day," said Willis. "We are so grateful to our customers who donated what they could to help bring some festive joy to local families over Christmas."
National Success Rooted in Local Kindness
The Staffordshire initiative was part of a much larger nationwide campaign. Across the UK, Tesco's Toy Donation drive collected an incredible more than 74,482 gifts, thanks to the generosity of shoppers everywhere.
Claire De Silva, Head of Communities at Tesco, extended her thanks to the people of Staffordshire specifically. "We really can’t thank our customers enough for their kind contributions," she stated. "Throughout the year our stores give support to children and their community, and without fail local people support us in our efforts."
She added, "So once again we are grateful to the people of Staffordshire for showing that the magic of Christmas is very much alive and well. They have made a lot of children very happy at a time of year that can be difficult for some families."
This heartwarming story underscores the powerful impact of local charity and community spirit, proving that small acts of kindness can collectively make a significant difference during the festive season.
