Help Bring Christmas Magic to 2,500 Local Children: Our 2025 Toys and Teens Christmas Gift Appeal launches!

Reading Family Aid’s Toys & Teens appeal is back for another year, sponsored by The Reading Chronicle. This year the appeal is accepting new and nearly new toys at 30 donation points across Reading and the surrounding areas. These toys and gifts will be distributed to disadvantaged children in Reading and the surrounding area, ready to be opened on Christmas day. 

Jill, a Parish Nurse at Reading Gateway, has been involved in the Toys and Teens Appeal for the past five years. She said: “The appeal means so much to us. It is truly amazing to see the joy it brings to children who might otherwise receive very little. Parents often express deep gratitude, saying how the support helps relieve the enormous stress of what should be a happy time. Without this appeal, many would find it unbearable not being able to provide even a small gift for their children. To be able to lift that burden and bring smiles to families is a real privilege.

One family who had been dreading Christmas were able, through the appeal, to wrap toys that were just right for their children. For the first time ever, there was a sack of presents under their Christmas tree. The parents were overwhelmed with relief and joy, and the children experienced a Christmas they had never known before. Moments like this show just how powerful the appeal can be”.

Reading Mayor Councillor Dr Alice Mpofu-Coles officially launched this year’s appeal today. She said, “There’s a lot of hidden poverty in Reading. This charity is very important in our town. It donates all sorts of toys to children during Christmas who need it, and it alleviates the stresses from families who can’t afford toys. We need your donations, we need families to be supported, this is a crucial charity in doing that as we go into Christmas. Please support the appeal by donating gifts at any of the donation points in Reading. Thank you.”

While all donations are welcome, the charity is making a heartfelt plea for new presents suitable for teenagers aged 13 and over - the age group most often forgotten during the holidays.

“Every year we see how much these gifts mean to families who are struggling,” said a spokesperson for Reading Family Aid. “We’re expecting to help more children than ever this year, and we particularly need gifts for teenagers. A thoughtful present can make a young person feel seen and valued at a time that can be especially difficult.”

Please see our list of gift ideas for children in the 13-16 age group, for guidance on what to donate.

To support the campaign you can donate a gift to any of our drop off points.

If you cannot donate a gift the campaign also has an online GoFundMe page where you can make a financial donation. This will help us to buy presents for age groups that receive less donations each year.

Another easy way to donate is by purchasing from our Amazon Wishlist. We have chosen a list of items we know will be needed for older children - buying anything from this list will be a great help to ensure we have a good range of gifts for teenagers.

Together, we can make Christmas magical for every child in our community.

Thank you