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.

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

Wow that was the biggest ever turn out and the fastest ever finish!
70 wrappers, 1,400 toys wrapped in 1 hour 45 mins. Legendary!
Thank you all so much. The Big Wrap has turned into such a wonderful community event, we are grateful to each of you for giving up your time once again.
Same again this time next year? 😉

We were honored to have the Mini Plant Oxford supporting us again this year. Their onsite collection amounted to well over 150 gifts. Thank you to all the staff that took part and those that made it happen 😍
By this time next week, those toys will begin making their journey into the homes and under the trees of local Oxfordshire kids that need it the most.
A few pics of the team delivery their haul to The Loose Cannon Brewery.

This takes you all the way back to the first toy drive and the founding team, Tracey & Jason, back in 2018.
We've grown in size and responsibility since then but our core values remain the same - to serve the children of the local community at a time when they need us most. 🎄

This year has been the year of the Giving Tree - Christmas trees popping up around Abingdon and Oxford, adorned with ACE Christmas Toy Drive wish tags. Participants take a tag and donate the chosen ‘toy wish’ for a child 🤩
Thanks to those taking part - great work The Croft Bar Peachcroft Abingdon, The Loose Cannon Brewery, Mini Plant Oxford, Howdens Abingdon and Boardman, Hawkins & Osborne. These trees are awesome 🙌