Christmas ToyLink

Supporting families struggling to make ends meet

Every gift matters

Each Christmas Birmingham City Mission distributes gifts to thousands of children whose families really struggle to make ends meet.
It is a mammoth task that relies on the generosity of many people who give toys, energy and time to ensure each child referred to us receives a sack of gifts on Christmas morning.

The ToyLink project

Each year churches, schools, companies and individuals donate thousands of toys, books and puzzles to our ToyLink project. Families in need of help are referred by Social Services, shelters, churches and other agencies. Through November and December hundreds of volunteers carefully select and wrap four gifts for each child and put them in a sack with a Christmas story booklet and card ready for delivery.
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Delivering the sacks around Birmingham is another colossal task, requiring complex route planning and a second army of staff and volunteers.
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We need volunteers to deliver the gifts around Birmingham from the beginning of December. If you have some time to spare call 0121 766 6603 or email office@birminghamcitymission.co.uk

We are now at full capacity for groups of volunteers to help with wrapping.

email: office@birminghamcitymission.co.uk

THE TOYLINK 2026 FAMILY REFERRALS FORM WILL OPEN IN NOVEMBER.

Give a gift

Please help by buying a NEW (not second hand) gift for a child or organise a toy collection with your friends, colleagues or group you attend. Family referrals begin in November, so early donations are much appreciated. We have a good amount of toys for 3-8 year olds, but need toys for teens, 8 to 11-year-olds, babies and toddlers.

Bring your gifts to Birmingham City Mission at The Clock Tower, 2 Langdon Street, Birmingham B9 4BP (open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm). We can pick up large collections - just call 0121 766 6603.

Or do it all online. Choose a gift from an online store and have it delivered straight to the address above. There are plenty of ideas on what to buy on our Amazon Christmas Gifts 2026 Wishlist.

The children are aged between 0 and 15 years old. New toys, books, games and puzzles are needed. Please do not wrap your gift so we can match the gift to the child.

You can also give financially to the project. Go to BCM's donate page and note 'ToyLink' in the project box.

1,700


families

4,000


children

16,000


gifts

Can you help by donating a gift for a child aged 0-15 years? BCM's ToyLink gift list may give you a few ideas of what to buy.
Please note we cannot give the children toy guns, home-made toys, chocolate or sweets.
Thank you for your support.

Gift list

Can you help by donating a gift for a child aged 0–15 years? Here are a few ideas of what to buy.

Age group Gift ideas
Babies 0–18 months Hand-held toys, feeding dishes and spoons, building cups, small soft toys (from birth), stacking and teething rings. Toys to shake, touch and feel.
Toddlers Under 3 years Stacking rings, wooden jigsaws, small pull-along toys, shape sorters, character plates, dishes and mugs.
Boys and girls 8–10 years Games, hats, gloves, books and annuals (dated for the coming year).
Teenage boys 10–15 years Footballs, football pumps, football books (not for a specific team), rucksacks, socks, gloves, hats, games, dartboards (not metal darts) and toiletries. No jigsaws please.
Teenage girls 10–15 years Toiletry sets, scarves, gloves, hats, socks, bags (suitable for teenagers), make-up, nail polish, jewellery (no earrings for pierced ears), jewellery boxes, games and annuals (dated for the coming year). No jigsaws please.

Please donate new, unwrapped gifts. We cannot give children toy guns, home-made toys, chocolate or sweets. Thank you for your support.

Get in touch

Call 0121 766 6603 extension 2 or email: office@birminghamcitymission.co.uk