Run by the Local Buyers Club in partnership with the Location Location estate agency, the appeal spans across North and East London and typically reaches more than 3,000 children who would otherwise be unlikely to receive a new gift on 25 December.
Now in its 12th year, over 37,000 toys have been donated since the appeal began in 2014 and Haringey is among the organisations distributing those presents to children in need, alongside Hackney Council.
Jenna Fansa, founder of the Winter Toy Appeal, said:
Please help ensure children experiencing extreme hardship in Haringey and Hackney have a special gift to open this winter by donating a gift to our appeal.
While so many children are excitedly writing their letters to Santa, thousands are experiencing high levels of deprivation and are unlikely to receive a gift.
This appeal is a way to come together as a community and to ensure the festive magic extends to every child.
The Leader of Haringey Council, Cllr Peray Ahmet, said:
Since its inception in 2014, local young children and their families here in Haringey and our neighbouring boroughs have received tens of thousands of toys thanks to the Local Buyers Club’s Winter Toy Appeal.
Once again this year, council staff will be working in tandem with the appeal’s organisers to ensure Haringey kids can play with their presents at Christmas – a fun and festive experience they might not otherwise get to enjoy.
If you’re able, it would be great and very much appreciated if you could support this year’s Winter Toy Appeal. In doing so, you’ll be spreading some Christmas cheer to members of our Haringey community, putting smiles on people’s faces and helping to support a family in need.
It’s easy to donate – residents and businesses can order a toy via the Haringey Wish List on Amazon, buy a new toy at Soup Dragon in Crouch End* (*use the code WINTERTOYAPPEAL to access the 20% discount for online purchases at Soup Dragon), donate to the Appeal’s GoFundMe page or drop off new toys at participating libraries.
Among the Haringey libraries taking part and collecting donations of new toys are Alexandra Park, Coombes Croft, Highgate, Hornsey, Marcus Garvey, Muswell Hill, St Ann’s and Stroud Green and Harringay.
Toys purchased via the Haringey Wish List will be sent to the Maya Angelou Rising Roots Family Hub (39 Winkfield Road, Wood Green, London, N22 5RP).
Money raised via a GoFundMe page is spent directly with independent toy shops in London on toys for children across the capital.
Businesses, residents and supporters are being urged to spend around £15 on a gift – for many children, this is the only toy they’ll receive at Christmas and organisers are keen to ensure gifts are roughly of equal value and feel substantial and special.
How to donate:
- Order via the Amazon Wishlist
- Shop in store at Soup Dragon in Crouch End (please leave donations in store for the team to collect)
- Shop online at Soup Dragon(*use the code WINTERTOYAPPEAL to access the 20% discount for online purchases at Soup Dragon) – your donations will be kept in store and passed on to the council
- Donate NEW toys at participating libraries: Alexandra Park, Coombes Croft, Highgate, Hornsey, Marcus Garvey, Muswell Hill, St Ann’s and Stroud Green and Harringay
- Donate to the appeal’s GoFundMe page
Tuesday 16 December 2025 is the last day to donate.
For more information about the appeal, visit the Local Buyers Club's Winter Toy Appeal website.
