The Toy Trust continues to make a big impact through its support to charities working with children and young people throughout the UK.

The Toy Trust reports that, so far in 2023, in excess of £170,000 has been raised through industry fundraising. The year got off to a hugely successful start with the annual Media Auction achieving £107,100 during London Toy Fair in January. This was followed more recently by a brand-new initiative – May Mayhem, seeing the industry come together to raise what is expected to be more than £40,000.

The Toy Trust is both incredibly grateful and proud to have now raised a total of £6.77m since the charity began 31 years ago. This would not have been possible without the toy industry’s support and hard work over the years.

The Toy Trust continues to support localised children’s charities that work across a number of areas of need – all of which provide relief to children and their families. There has been a noticeable increase in the number of applications for funding as a direct result of the cost of living crisis. Increased need for food banks, bed and baby banks have been on the rise, and the Toy Trust is supporting projects where funds are likely to have the most impact.

So far in 2023, the charity has donated £138,145 between 41 charities, which include: Antoin Akpom Achievements Foundation, AT Society, Baby Bank Network Exeter, Baby Necessities Southampton, B.J.O Amara Association, Carers Trust Tyne & Wear, Comfort Cases UK, Crackerjacks Children’s Trust, Creative Support for Vulnerable Families & Children, Cyclists Fighting Cancer, Feeling Volunteer Library, Foundations Furniture & Gardening Project Ltd, Friends of Castledon School, Friends of Gilbrook, Friends of Sandon and Ambergate, Gloucestershire Bundles, Greenfingers Charity, Helping Angels Charitable Association, Islay & Jura Community Enterprises Limited, Kingswood Trust, The Krazy Kat Theatre Company, Let us Play, Made4U in ML2, Mentoring Plus, Mustard Seed Autism Trust, Nottingham Children Young people & their Families Project, Reading Family Aid Group, ROKT Foundation, Rotherham Rise, Sensory Kids, Sonshine Club, Southfield School Friends Association, Spring Community Hub, The No Way Trust, The Rock Currock Youth Project, WAVES Additional Needs Support Group, Worcestershire Parents and Carers Community and Whizz Kidz.

Members of the toy industry who have not yet had the chance to fundraise or support The Toy Trust this year may be interested in several events which are still to come in 2023, as detailed below:

• The Big Half – Sunday 3rd September. A limited number of places is still available for London’s premier half marathon, taking on half of the London Marathon official route. The friendly, well-organised event is ideal for both seasoned and new runners looking for a challenge. Contact Matt@btha.co.uk for sign up information.
• Hasbro Football & Netball Tournaments –  Friday 8th September. Taking place at Brunel University Sports Ground, sign up and event information is available from Donna Crook at Hasbro.
• Toy Trust Christmas Card Initiative – October 2023. The annual event for companies to support the Toy Trust in the lead up to Christmas by supplying a company logo for publication in toy trade magazines (including Toy World) for a nominal fee which may have otherwise been used for Christmas cards. Contact Tracey Butcherfor more information.