Christmas ToyLink

Supporting families struggling to make ends meet

Every gift matters

Each Christmas Birmingham City Mission distributes gifts to thousands of children whose families really struggle to make ends meet.
It is a mammoth task that relies on the generosity of many people who give toys, energy and time to ensure each child referred to us receives a sack of gifts on Christmas morning.

The ToyLink project

Each year churches, schools, companies and individuals donate thousands of toys, books and puzzles to our ToyLink project. Families in need of help are referred by Social Services, shelters, churches and other agencies. Through November and December hundreds of volunteers carefully select and wrap four gifts for each child and put them in a sack with a Christmas story booklet and card ready for delivery.

Delivering the sacks around Birmingham is another colossal task, requiring complex route planning and a second army of staff and volunteers.

We need volunteers to deliver the gifts around Birmingham from the beginning of December. If you have some time to spare call 0121 766 6603 or email office@birminghamcitymission.co.uk

THE TOYLINK 2025 FAMILY REFERRALS FORM WILL OPEN IN NOVEMBER

Give a gift

Please help by buying a NEW (not second hand) gift for a child or organise a toy collection with your friends, colleagues or group you attend. We begin wrapping on 10th November and a stock of toys to get us started would be very welcome. We particularly need toys and gifts for babies (0 to18 months) and 9 to 15-year-olds.

Bring your gifts to Birmingham City Mission at The Clock Tower, 2 Langdon Street, Birmingham B9 4BP (open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm). We can pick up large collections - just call 0121 766 6603.

Or do it all online. Choose a gift from an online store and have it delivered straight to the address above. Our ToyLink Amazon Wishlist 2025 includes many items needed and is regularly updated.

The children are aged between 0 and 15 years old. New toys, books, games and puzzles are needed. Please do not wrap your gift so we can match the gift to the child.

1,700


families

4,000


children

16,000


gifts

Can you help by donating a gift for a child aged 0-15 years? BCM's ToyLink gift list may give you a few ideas of what to buy.
Please note we cannot give the children toy guns, home-made toys, chocolate or sweets.
Thank you for your support.

Gift list

Babies 0-18 months

Hand-held toys, feeding dishes and spoons, building cups, small soft toys (from birth), stacking and teething rings. Toys to shake, touch and feel.

Toddlers under 3 years

Stacking rings, wooden jigsaws, small pull-along toys, shape sorters, character plates, dishes, mugs.

Boys and girls 4-7 years

Games, books, cars, trucks, dolls, jewellery etc

Boys and girls aged 8-10 years

Games, hats, gloves, suitable toiletries, books, annuals (dated for the coming year)

Teenage boys aged 10-15 years

Footballs, football pumps, football books (not for a specific team), rucksacks, socks, gloves, hats, games, dartboards (not metal darts), toiletries. No jigsaws please.

Teenage girls aged 10-15 years

Toiletry sets, scarves, gloves, hats, socks, bags (suitable for teenagers), make-up, nail polish, jewellery (no earrings for pierced ears), jewellery boxes, games, annuals (dated for the coming year). No jigsaws please.

Get in touch

Call 0121 766 6603 or email office@birminghamcitymission.co.uk