A.C.E Christmas Toy Drive

ACE Christmas Toy Drive - Impact Statement 2025

This Christmas marked the 8th year of the ACE Christmas Toy Drive, and once again, it showed just how powerful kindness and community can be.

Thanks to the support of our donors and partners, we were able to provide over 500 children with Christmas gifts, with every child receiving a minimum of three brand-new toys. In total, 230 families were supported, including low-income families, refugee families, families in crisis, and those affected by domestic abuse.

For many parents, Christmas is one of the most stressful times of the year. Families told us they didn’t know how they were going to manage, how they would explain to their children why there were no presents, or how they would make Christmas feel special at all.

Because of this toy drive, children woke up to gifts under the tree, excitement, and memories they’ll carry with them.

Families told us:

“I am immensely grateful for the gifts for the children.”

“Because of you, I am looking forward to Christmas.”

“It’s going to be an awesome Christmas. Thank you.”

“Wow! I wouldn’t have been able to afford the presents my children have received… this has helped to make their Christmas.”

“My children were so happy with their gifts!”

One parent shared how much the support meant at home:

“A friend had given me a Christmas tree with all the decorations but we didn’t have any gifts under the tree… when I received these gifts… I put them under the tree for them to see in the morning… they were sooo happy and super excited.” (Refugee family)

Another family told us:

“Your toys have helped toward the childhood I’m desperate to give them.”

And another parent said:

“This kind gesture you are doing really, really helped my kids… they was so happy with what they had received and it made such a difference.”

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What makes ACE different is how this work happens.

The entire Christmas Toy Drive is 100% volunteer-run. For three months of the year, volunteers come together to plan, collect, sort, wrap, and distribute gifts — all alongside jobs, families, and other commitments.

We don’t have a formal office, venue, or storage space. Every location we use, every hour given, and every helping hand comes from people offering what they can. We rely completely on community kindness to make the campaign possible.

All gifts provided are brand new, carefully chosen, and typically valued between £10–£20 each, because every child deserves something special — not leftover, not second best.

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Parents repeatedly told us how much it helped them financially, emotionally, and practically:

“It’s been a massive help for me since I’ve been on my own on the financial cost of Christmas.”

“(ACE) helped a lot with making my son’s first Christmas memorable.”

“The excitement and joy on my children’s faces… is something I will never forget.”

“It brought them so much happiness and helped our Xmas feel special.”

“Thank you so much, the gifts were amazing… it’s so appreciated.

These messages are the real impact of the toy drive: relief for parents, dignity for families, and joy for children.

This work is only possible because of donors and partners who believe no child should miss out on Christmas.

Thank you for being part of this. You didn’t just give toys - you helped give families a Christmas.

And our final door of advent opens to the word "Love" 💕
On this Christmas Eve, your love shines in the form of gifts, in homes ready for Christmas morning. 🎁
And on this day we'd like to say goodbye for another year, you've all be wonderful, thank you. We wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year 😘

A word we all need in our lives is behind door 23 of our advent calendar, "Peace".
Because of you, more families will feel a little peace and comfort this Christmas. 🕊️

On our 22nd advent day we open the door to the word "Miracle".
Your generosity helps create little Christmas miracles all across our community. How cool is that?

What's behind the 21st door of our word advent calendar today? You better believe it's "Believe".
Your support proves that people still believe in caring for one another.

We open the door to the word "Warmth" on our 20th day of advent.
A wrapped gift is more than a toy. It's comfort, reassurance and "you matter".

On day 19 of our word advent calendar we bring you "Smiles".
Together we are making sure Christmas morning is full of smiles and festive joy. 😊

Advent day 18 brings you the word "Light".
You've been a light for families who thought this Christmas might be dark. 🕯️

Today we open day 17 of our word advent calendar and we are "Thankful".
We are so grateful for every toy, every pound donated, every post share and kind word.
We wish we could thank you all individually here - if you are reading this, you know who you are. 💞
In particular we want to thank easyStorage Northants & North Oxon for helping store and move stock again this year.
We are also grateful to Abingdon Vale Cricket Club - AVCC for all their support.
And many thanks to Polythene (UK) Ltd for supplying our bags this year 👏

Thank you to
Abingdon Vale Cricket Club - AVCC for being our sorting and distribution hub this year!
Great venue, great people.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

On advent day 16, our word is "Togetherness".
When a community comes together, children feel it, deeply and joyfully 👐
Every year, as the campaign comes to an end, we begin to move on to our own Christmas plans. Togetherness becomes a focus. Whether its family, friends or colleagues. And in the background we hope we have done enough to make sure the ACE Christmas Toy Drive brings the joy and togetherness we aimed for on Christmas Day 💞