Sefton Mayor Cllr June Burns has praised the generosity of Sefton residents and businesses as it is revealed the annual Christmas Toy Appeal supported 1,524 children this year with gifts and toys donated by the community.

From arts and crafts sets, books, dinosaurs and prams to toiletries, pyjamas and scooters; the response to the 2025 appeal was overwhelming.

Over 10,000 items donated

Together, the local community donated over 10,000 items, including books, toys, arts & crafts, toiletries, clothing, baby essentials, family games, and 750 selection boxes to make the season even brighter.

Cllr June Burns, Mayor of Sefton said:

“Every year I am blown away by the generosity of people in Sefton. Year in, year out, this appeal goes above and beyond my expectations and this year was no different.

“Hundreds of people and groups held coffee mornings, raised awareness and funds, collected donations and made this appeal so successful and all I can say is thank you. Your kindness made Christmas even more special for families in Sefton and to see such community spirit on show was truly inspiring.”

The donations came from the community from day one of the appeal with Santa’s elves doing multiple collections as our donation points overflowed with gifts.

A huge thank you to every resident, business, school, community group, and drop‑off point who donated or supported the appeal.

Generous local businesses

Local businesses donated thousands of pounds to enable the team to buy pyjamas, tech and toiletries for older children and the sheer volume of gifts enabled the appeal to support a huge number of families this year.

Special thanks go to:
• Litherland Youth & Community Centre
• ToysToysToys
• ASDA Bootle
• Tesco Litherland
• Arriva North West
• Hope Capital
• Sefton@work
• Strand Shopping Centre
• Winvic Construction
• HA Civils & Huyton Asphalt LTD
• Holy Family 6th Form Students (volunteered packing)
• Alpha Taxis
• Southport Market
• CPT Fitness
• Dowhigh Civil Engineering
• ASDA Southport
• Slimmer’s World Goddard Hall Bootle
• Bootle Blues under 14s Football Team
• Old Roan Methodist Church
• St Marks Church Netherton
• Heart of the Trail
• In House Operational Services – Sefton Council
• Sefton Libraries
• Active Sefton
• Green Sefton
• Sefton Front of House Attendants
• Dr Lucy Wright baking cakes for the annual Coffee morning
• Sefton Ward Councillors
• Ainsdale Residents Group