Children’s Charities and a host of well-known faces joined together to spread a little festive joy through this year’s annual event at KidZania London.
A host of celebrities joined visitors at KidZania London, the indoor city run by kids at Westfield London, Shepherd’s Bush, to mark the launch of the Spin Master 2018 Charity Advent Calendar. Teaming up with Kidzania for the second year in a row, Spin Master, makers of toys such as Hatchimals, The Sock Game and Boxer the Robot, is spreading a little festive joy to children across the country this Christmas; and it’s even bigger and better than before.
Every day until Christmas, one lucky child who visits the city will get to open a door on the calendar, which stands pride of place in KidZania’s airport. Each of the 24 doors is set to reveal a new charity each day, as well as revealing an instant prize for child who gets to open it.
This year’s Spin Master Advent launch was awash with festivities, helping visitors to get into the festive spirit. Zoe Hardman, the Heart FM presenter, was there helping to donate toys alongside Casualty actors Jason Durr, George Rainsford, Michael Stevenson and their children. Everyone embraced the fun and festive spirit whist simultaneously supporting an array of good causes.
This year, the advent calendar is linked to a series of UK charities, many of which have been nominated by celebrities. Each day, when the door is opened, £1,000 worth of toys will be given to a different charity – a donation totalling £25,000 throughout December – helping to spread the festive joy to children and families in need this Christmas.
Even more magic was brought to the occasion by star of Britain’s got Talent’s Jamie Raven, who came along in support of charity Spread a Smile.
Finally, a group of 12 young YouTuber families have also joined forces by making a video of the 12 Days of Vlogmas which features a host of the toys being donated to each charity. Their remarkable efforts have been in support of The Salvation Army’s Christmas Present Appeal and the video can be viewedbelow.
The charities who will benefit from receiving a share of the toys include: Rays of Sunshine, The Indee Rose Trust, WellChild (Jason Durr), The Vipingo Village Trust (Zoe Hardman) KidScape (George Rainsford), Together for Short Lives, (CBBC presenter Nigel Clarke), Cash for Kids (Michael Stevenson), Action for Children (Guy Martin), Shooting Star Chase, The Thames Valley Adventure Playground, Kid’s Out, The Grand Appeal for Bristol Children’s Hospital, Child Bereavement UK, The Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice, The Salvation Army (The YuleTubers), Spread a Smile, Kids Out, The Bromley and Croydon Women’s Refuge, PWSA, Global’s Make Some Noise, Action for Children, The Felix Project, DSA-UK, and The Dolphin Children’s Ward at the Princess Alexander Hospital (Rosie McClelland).
