Bury Toy Appeal
Christmas should be a time of joy. But for families already struggling with the cost of living, finding money for presents can place yet another strain on an overstretched household budget.
Each year, The Salvation Army and Churches Together in Bury collect new, unwrapped toys and gifts for local children and young people who might otherwise receive very little at Christmas.
With the generosity of local people, churches, schools, businesses and community groups, we can help ensure that more children across Bury have something special to open on Christmas morning.
Donating gifts
New and unwrapped toys and gifts can be donated from Monday 9 November to Friday 4 December 2026.
Collection points will be located at:
The Rock, Bury
Mill Gate Shopping Centre, Bury
Please leave gifts unwrapped so that our volunteers can sort them appropriately. The presents will be given to parents and carers to wrap themselves, allowing them to remain part of giving the gift to their child.
Gifts are needed for children and young people of all ages, including teenagers, who can sometimes be overlooked.
We have been amazed by the generosity of local businesses in 2025. If your business would like to organise a staff collection and bring the gifts to our depot, please get in touch—we’d love to hear from you.
Businesses are invited to collect among their customers and staff and donate directly to our sorting space. Donations can be received on Saturday 21st and Saturday 28th November. Please drop off donations to Seedfield Methodist Church, entrance of Linton Avenue (not Moseley Avenue) Bury BL9 6PQ. Please email David Somerville on david.somerville@methodist.org.uk to arrange drop-off.
Referrals
Referrals can be made by recognised organisations working directly with children and families, including schools, nurseries, social services, charities and community organisations.
To protect families’ privacy, children should not be identified by name. Please use the reference system explained on the referral form and list children from the same family together.
Referring organisations will be responsible for collecting the allocated presents between, and delivering them to the families they have referred. Collection dates to follow.
Download letter to referral agencies
Sorting Week
The donated gifts will be sorted from Monday 7 to Friday 11 December 2026.
During the week, volunteers will organise the presents by age so that each referring organisation receives an appropriate selection for the children and young people on its referral list.
Volunteering
Help bring a little Christmas joy to local families by volunteering with the Bury Toy Appeal 2026. We need friendly helpers to sort donated toys from Monday 7 to Friday 11 December, with morning or afternoon sessions available. To register please fill in the form below and send to David Somerville at david.somerville@methodist.org.uk.