Where to donate cuddly toys

itsanne

We've been working on rationalising what's in the loft . Amongst other things - mice :eek:. We think they are gone now.

The local charity shops will make their usual killing, but there are also 2-3 binbags full of cuddly toys in pristine condition, newly washed and dried, that I'd like to donate to somewhere more specific. (The nibbled bag has been thrown out.)

Any suggestions?

tea_lover

You could try your local fire service. Some of them keep a small supply of toys for calming children after fires/accidents etc. Not all of them do this though, so worth phoning rather than just turning up with loads of them

ETA: could also try local playgroups, toy library, foster carers, etc.

Mojisola

If you have a HomeStart near you, ask if they would like some. I handed on all our baby and toddler clothes to our local one and they were able to pass them on to struggling families.

Also, a SureStart centre may do the same.

Melaniep101

Would a local children's hospital ward accept them?

Mojisola

Melaniep101 wrote: »

Would a local children's hospital ward accept them?

Probably not because of the problems of cleaning them.

See this - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/article3856759.ece

tea_lover

Or maybe an animal shelter? Lots of dogs seem to like a teddy of their own to cuddle up to.

Spendless

Bag2school says you can put cuddly toys in their bags and I recently saw one of those cash for clothes weigh in places saying they accepted them too. If you don't know any school age children, you could contact your nearest school and ask them if they have collections. You could also donate them as tombola prizes if in good enough condition. I regularly have to cull my dd's collection of soft animals in this way.;)

Errata

Local Womens Refuge, kids turn up there with nothing but the clothes they're wearing.

Melaniep101

Mojisola wrote: »

Probably not because of the problems of cleaning them.

See this - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/article3856759.ece

Very true, I hadn't thought of that...

I_try

Womens aid, local playgroup, local nursery, freecycle, school for tombola prizes?

Hospitals and gp surgeries can no longer accept anything soft and furry, only plastic bleachable/steam-cleanable toys unfortunately. They can only accept soft toys that are brand new in-the-box and with tags due to risk of infection. They are very grateful for these donations though, and books and colouring pads etc.

meritaten

my kids used to have a craze for those seaside 'grab a prize' machines. they amassed over 50 of the little 'cuddlies'! We donated them to a hospital childrens ward for them to give to kids coming in for ops or chemo.