2024 Christmas Toybox Appeal launched

Donations of new gifts and money are now being accepted for Carmarthenshire County Council’s 2024 Christmas Toybox Appeal.

Our annual Christmas Toybox Appeal helps hundreds or families who can’t afford to buy toys or gifts for their children.

Please visit the Newsroom page on the Council’s website to view a full list of all the collection point locations.

Over 9,300 gifts were distributed to 1,550 children at the end of last year’s appeal, providing valuable support to families who are struggling financially.

For this year’s Toybox Appeal, we are accepting items from games, arts and craft items to toiletry gift sets for all ages, 18 months to teenagers, at one of a number of collection points around the county. Unfortunately, the appeal cannot accept used or second-hand donations.

The task of identifying families and children who are in greatest need of support from the Toybox Appeal is done by schools, family centres, social workers and youth workers. Council staff will then distribute the gifts in the run-up to Christmas.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Deputy Leader – Cllr Linda Evans said:

The pressure of buying a present for your children to open on Christmas Day is a very real one for many families in Carmarthenshire who are struggling financially in the midst of the cost-of-living crisis.

If are you able to support our Toybox Appeal this year, by donating money for us to buy presents or buying an extra gift for our Appeal, then please do so. Whilst Christmas is a very special time of the year, it can also bring additional financial pressures on many families.”

Founded in 2011, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Christmas Toy Box Appeal is a local initiative which provides Christmas gifts for families in need. Many can’t afford to buy gifts or toys for their children and may turn to loan sharks in their desperation. The Christmas Toy Box Appeal has ensured that local children, who might otherwise receive nothing or very little, are given a gift at Christmas.

Financial donations can be made online. If you have a cash or cheque donation please call 01267 246504.

Here is a full list of all the collection point locations, more location will be added once confirmed:

Carmarthen:

• Carmarthen Customer Service Hwb, Unit A, St Catherine’s Walk, Carmarthen, SA31 1GA
  Monday – Thursday 9am – 5pm
  Friday 9am – 4.30pm
• County Hall, SA31 1JP
  Monday – Thursday 8.45am – 5pm
  Friday 8.45am – 4.30pm
• Carmarthen Leisure Centre, Llansteffan Road, Johnstown. SA31 3NQ
  Monday – Friday 6.30am – 9.30pm
  Saturday and Sunday 8am – 6pm
• Tesco, Morfa Lane, SA31 3AX
  Monday – Saturday 6am to midnight
  Sunday 10am – 4pm
• Morrisons, Parc Pensarn, Carmarthen. SA31 2NF
• Carmarthenshire Museum, Abergwili

Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 4pm

Llanelli:

• Llanelli Customer Service Hwb, 36 Stepney Street. SA15 3TR
  Monday – Thursday 9am – 5pm
  Friday 9am – 4.30pm
• Tesco, Parc Trostre, SA14 9UY
  Monday – Saturday 6am to midnight
  Sunday 10am – 4pm
• Llanelli Leisure Centre, Park Cres, SA15 3AE

Monday – Friday 6.30am – 9.30pm
Saturday and Sunday 8am – 6pm

• Parc Howard

Amman Valley:

• Ammanford Customer Service Hwb, 41 Quay Street. SA18 3BS
  Monday – Thursday 9am – 5pm
  Friday 9am – 4.30pm
• Cwmaman Community Centre, High St, Glanaman. SA18 1DX
  Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm
• Tesco, Ammanford

Monday – Saturday 6am to midnight
Sunday 10am – 4pm

Llandeilo/Llandovery:

• Hengwrt (Menter Dinefwr) 8, Stryd Caerfyrddin. SA19 6AE
  Monday – Saturday 10am – 4.30pm
• Llandovery Youth & Community Centre, Gerwyn House, Market Square.  SA20 0AB
  Monday – Friday 9am – 5.30pm (except school holidays when opening hours are 9am – 4pm)

St Clears/Newcastle Emlyn:

• St Clears Leisure Centre, Station Road. SA33 4BT
  Monday to Friday 8am – 9.30pm
  Saturday & Sunday 8am – 2pm
• Newcastle Emlyn Leisure Centre, SA38 9LN
  Monday to Friday 7.30am – 9pm
  Saturday & Sunday 7.30am – 2pm

Kidwelly:

• Burns, Parc y Bocs Farm Shop, Carmarthen Rd.  SA17 5AB
  Monday to Saturday – 9am – 5pm
  Sunday 10am – 4pm

• Hwb Bach y Wlad will also be taking donations. You can view their timetable here to see when they are due to visit a town near you.