Help for families in Northamptonshire through The Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal
The Salvation Army is calling on the communities across Northamptonshire including Kettering, Wellingborough, Rushden, and Northampton to share love and hope this Christmas by donating new toys to its Christmas Present Appeal to help give children a Christmas they deserve.
Every year Salvation Army churches ask people to donate new toys and gifts for children whose families are already making impossible choices between food, heating, and bills.
Last year, The Salvation Army in the county distributed more than 1000 gift parcels with the church and charity fearing more people will need support this year.
Captain Alision Chapman, spokesperson of the Salvation Army in the area, said: “Our Christmas Present Appeal is an opportunity for people in our community to embrace the spirit of Christmas and give to families and individuals who have very little.
“Christmas is meant to be a time of love and joy, but for many it’s a time of stress and despair when financial worries are brought into sharp focus for families who are struggling to heat their homes, let alone provide presents for their children.
“The Christmas present appeal is how we put our belief into action, showing love where it’s needed most. We believe every child deserves to experience joy on Christmas morning. We are always overwhelmed by the generosity of the public in supporting our appeal each year and we hope you continue to do so to ensure every child wakes up on Christmas Day with a smile on their face.”
The Salvation Army churches in Kettering, Wellingborough, Rusden, and Northampton, have dedicated drop-off points, available giving platforms for online donors, and festive events for local families to attend. Find below details of how you can support your local area:
The Salvation Army in Kettering:
Drop-off locations: Kettering Salvation Army (Regent Street entrance) Kettering Donation Centre or Kettering Salvation Army Charity Shop.
Period for drop-off: November 10 until December 12
Types of toys most needed: toys for boys and girls ages 4-11
Links for online donation: Call church office 01536 513883 to make financial donations
Partner locations: N/A
Special events/date: 🎁 Christmas Market – Saturday, December 13, 10am–2pm | 🧸 Toy Service – Sunday, December 14, 10am | 🎶 Carol Services – Sunday, December 21, 2:30pm & 5pm | ✨ Christmas Eve Carols – Wednesday, December 24, 7pm
Venue: 66 Rockingham Road, Kettering NN16 8JU
Visit website for more info: Kettering Citadel | The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army in Wellingborough:
Drop-off locations: Salem Lane Wellingborough NN8 4JT
End date for drop-off: Thursday, December 18
Types of toys most needed: no specifics, anything ages 0-16
Links for online donation: N/A
Partner locations: The Entertainer in Wellingborough
Special events/date/time: visit their Facebook page.
Visit website for more info: Wellingborough | The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army in Northampton:
Drop-off locations: 8 Tower Street Northampton NN1 2SN
End date for drop-off: December
Types of toys most needed: toys for all ages are welcome
Links for online donation: Donate
Partner locations: N/A
Special events/date/time: visit Facebook page
Visit website for more info: Northampton | The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army in Rushden:
Drop-off locations: Rushden Salvation Army and Charity Shop
End date for drop-off: December 21
Types of toys most needed: all gifts are welcome
Links for online donation: JustGiving
Partner locations: N/A
Special events/date/time: Christmas Dinner (Friday, December 12, 10am-1pm) | ✨ Christmas Carol Service (Sunday 21 December, 4pm)
Venue: 16-20 Church Street Rushden NN10 9YT
Visit website for more activities: Rushden | The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army will sort and distribute the gifts to children and families in the respective areas through local groups, schools and social services.
Gifts can include anything from educational toys, baby clothes, bath toys, books, including learn to read books (for babies and toddlers) to dolls and action figures, sports equipment and clothing, toiletries (please try to ensure non-allergic ingredients if possible), gloves, scarves, hats, T-shirts, hair accessories and gift vouchers for older children.
Donations through The Entertainer’s Big Toy appeal possible open between November 1 and 29. Customers can buy an extra toy to donate when they visit a store or shop online at TheToyShop.com. For each toy donated, The Entertainer will also add a toy, doubling the number for children who might go without. Each Entertainer store is connected with a local Salvation Army church or centre who will collect and distribute the toys as part of the wider Christmas Present Appeal.
A church and charity, The Salvation Army expresses its Christian faith by offering friendship, practical help and support to some of the most disadvantaged people in our communities. To help support The Salvation Army’s year-round work please visit: salvationarmy.org.uk/donate
For more information about the Christmas Present Appeal and ideas about gifts, see our website: https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/christmas-present-appeal