Toy Appeal 2026 – Referrals

Helping Children Experience the Magic of Christmas

Every year, our Toy Appeal helps bring Christmas to children across the Tees Valley, whose families are facing financial hardship. Working alongside schools and charitable organisations, we aim to ensure that as many children as possible have a gift to open on Christmas morning.

Who Can Refer?

To make sure support reaches the families who need it most, referrals can only be submitted by:

• Schools
• Registered charities and charitable organisations

Unfortunately, we cannot accept referrals directly from individuals or any other organisations that do not meet these criteria.

If you’re unsure whether your organisation is eligible to make a referral, please contact Rachel at rachel.p@teessidecharity.org.uk before completing a referral form.

How to Make a Referral

Step 1 – Contact Kath by email with your details.

Step 2 – Complete the paperwork, but also include an additional document which must include:

• The family’s surname and their postcode
• The ages of all children in the household who are being referred as well as their gender.
• If the referral is not being made through a school,  please ensure the name of each child’s school is listed

Step 3 – Email the completed referral form to kath.c@teessidecharity.org.uk.

Kath, our Chief Elf, coordinates all Toy Appeal referrals. Once your referral has been received, she’ll review the information and be in touch.

If the information regarding the families is not submitted, we will be unable to process your request.

As we receive a high number of referrals each year, please allow up to 10-15 working days for a response.

Important Dates

Referral Deadline

Friday 13 November 2026

Please ensure all referral forms are submitted by this date.

Toy Collections

Approved referrals will be available for collection by appointment only between 2 and 4 December 2026.

Kath will contact each referring organisation/ school directly to arrange a convenient collection date and time.