Give a gift and light up a life at Christmas

Thousands of children, young people and their families will have a happier Christmas this year, thanks to The Salvation Army's nationwide Christmas Present Appeal.

Until Friday 19 December members of the public across the country are invited and encouraged to donate gifts for children aged 0-16. The gifts will be then be distributed to needy children and their families in the local area through The Salvation Army's own networks, health visitors and social services.  

Other gifts for families, older people and homeless people are also welcomed because we know there are many people who may not receive a gift on Christmas Day.

The worsening economic climate means that more and more people will find it very difficult to celebrate Christmas this year. Help us collect and distribute even more gifts to those in need in our community so Christmas morning will be special for everyone.

This year, The Salvation Army is very happy to announce that we have partnered with Superdrug. With more than 900 stores nationwide members of the public can donate their gifts on almost every high street.

New, unwrapped gifts may be dropped off in collection bins in any Superdrug store (find your nearest Superdrug store) or other local designated Salvation Army collection points (use post code search), from where a team of volunteers from The Salvation Army will collect the toys and take them to the local church or headquarters where they will be wrapped by members who will ensure it reaches a needy child or teenager in time for Christmas.

The gifts will be distributed via The Salvation Army's own local networks, through local groups, charities and social services to ensure that as many families and children as possible benefit. Over many years, millions of children and young people have already benefited from the gifts donated to The Salvation Army. By giving a gift to our Christmas Present Appeal you can make a real difference in someone's life at Christmas! (Click here for full screen video clip)

We gratefully acknowledge the support of vinspired, a government-funded organisation which supports charities by encouraging young people to get involved in volunteering schemes. Visit the vinspired advent calendar to find out more.

The Salvation Army also encourages businesses to organise donations from their own staff. Banks, insurance companies and other businesses may identify The Salvation Army as their Christmas charity and staff are encouraged to bring in toys and gifts for their local community.

Schools are encouraged, where possible, to make collections. Children are asked to bring in a small, new toy which they would like to receive in their stocking on Christmas morning, so that another child might have a happy Christmas. Special assemblies can be organised with a speaker from The Salvation Army to explain what happens to the toys.

We believe every child deserves a new gift at Christmas, and we are therefore unable to take used or second hand items for the Christmas Present Appeal. Food items are also not appropriate for this campaign.

For more information:

• A Christmas miracle!