Rotherham Toy Appeal 2025 Launch Night
The Rotherham Christmas Toy Appeal got off to a magical start this weekend at Parkgate Shopping as families came together to celebrate the launch of the 2025 campaign on Friday 7th November.
Santa and his sleigh were the stars of the show, joined by festive singers, Rotherham United’s mascot Miller Bear, and our amazing supporters who presented generous cheques to help make this Christmas brighter for every child in Rotherham.
It was a joyful evening full of smiles, music and community spirit.
We were pleased to welcome Rotherham Mayor, Cllr Rukhsana Ismail, to open the event. She was joined by defence secretary and MP for Rawmarsh and Conisbrough, John Healey, who encouraged the public to support our appeal this year.
Smyths Toy Superstore staff Heidi and Josh were there handing out goodie bags to children filled with Play Doh, Hot Wheels cars and other festive treats. They also donated three £50 vouchers and a basketball net for our raffle.
As Parkgate Shopping’s major toy shop, Smyths have been avid supporters of the Rotherham Toy Appeal for many years. They donate surplus stock each year and also give us a 20% discount in store for any items our team buy for the appeal.
“Our team love supporting the Rotherham Toy Appeal,” said Heidi. “It’s also lovely to see lots of children who come in store with their pocket money to buy toys to donate to other children.”
We also had performances from The Voice Academy and school choirs from Coleridge and East Dene primary schools.
Alexandra Hans’ teenage singers from The Voice Academy impressed the crowds with their stunning renditions of Last Christmas, Cool Yule, Underneath the Tree, and All I Want For Christmas Is You.
While the school choirs, led by headteacher Ian Tankard, got everyone into the festive spirit with Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and We Wish You A Merry Christmas.
A big thank you to Rotherham Lions for bringing down their fabulous sleigh for our very own Father Christmas.
We had some talks by our guest speakers including Jo-Anne Van Levensley from the Mothers Union Sheffield Diocese who spoke about how they support our charity all year long. She had all the children in shock as she pulled objects out of a stocking from her own childhood, including some nuts, an orange and a lump of coal.
And a beary big thanks to Rotherham United Community Trust who brought Miller Bear to greet families. While they are a charity themselves, RUCT have chosen to support the Rotherham Toy Appeal for a second Christmas.
You can drop off donations at the fan park on home games up until mid-December, and the team are also coming down to Parkgate on Wednesday 3rd December to help us sort and pick gifts for children on our list.
We must also say a special thank you to three organisations who donated cheques on the night.
Voluntary Action Rotherham, who were instrumental in getting our charity off the ground back in 2017, made a donation of £1,500. Curry’s at Parkgate pledge £550, plus a new card reader for our young volunteer Charlotte’s Cards. And Gothic Lodge Swinton Freemasons presented a cheque for £300.
Jordan Maguire from Swinton Freemasons has been supporting the Rotherham Toy Appeal with his dad Nigel for many years. In previous years, they have donated gifts for our teenage recipients but this year they decided to donate such a generous amount of money.
Finally, a special thank you to Stewart Nicholson and Bruce Edwards from Rotherham Radio for hosting the night, as well as the Parkgate Shopping team for helping us set up and co-ordinate the launch night.
And of course our fabulous elves, our volunteers who help us at Christmas and all year round. We couldn’t do this without you.
The event marked the beginning of our charity’s annual campaign to collect toys and gifts for families facing hardship this festive season.
You can drop off donations of new toys or gifts for children aged 0-18 at any of the following drop off points:
- Parkgate Shopping – any store on site
- Rotherham Libraries – any library in the borough
- Places for Leisure Centres – Rotherham, Aston, Maltby and Wath
- Magna Science Adventure Centre
- Opus Pilates Studio – Bridge Court S60 1RD
- Rotherham Town Hall
- Voluntary Action Rotherham – The Spectrum S60 2HX