Mission Christmas Toy Appeal organisers urge the city to donate quick

With just days to go until Christmas, the team behind the Mission Christmas Toy Appeal are urging people across Liverpool and the surrounding area to act fast and help make sure no child wakes up without a present on Christmas morning.

This year, Cash for Kids Liverpool and North Wales has received a staggering 32,836 applications for Mission Christmas. Every single child has been identified by professionals including teachers, social workers and community organisations, as living in poverty. Without the appeal, these children would face Christmas morning with no gifts at all.

Since 19th November, the Mission Christmas team and an army of volunteers have been working tirelessly behind the scenes, packing presents and spreading festive cheer. So far, gifts have been packed for 21,690 children, but the scale of need this year is greater than ever. That means 12,529 local children are still waiting to have their presents packed, with just one week to go until Christmas Eve and only two more volunteer packing days left.

The appeal is about far more than toys. It’s about ensuring 662 babies experience the magic of their first Christmas, making sure children who’ve written letters to Father Christmas feel heard, and helping 5,006 teenagers feel included when friends talk about what they received. Most importantly, it’s about reminding parents and carers that they are not alone, and that their city cares.

However, organisers say the campaign has reached a crisis point, with significantly fewer gift donations coming in compared to previous years. Despite everyone’s best efforts, the reality is that without urgent support, there simply won’t be enough gifts to reach every child who needs them.

One application received this year paints a heartbreaking picture. A little boy spent Christmas Day last year wearing his school uniform because he wanted to look smart. His Christmas dinner was a packed lunch, given to him days earlier by a community centre. His circumstances haven’t changed, and once again that same centre has turned to Mission Christmas for help. It’s a sobering reminder that behind every statistic is a real child, living locally, experiencing the build-up to Christmas without knowing if it will ever truly arrive.

That’s why the call to action is so urgent. Supporters can make a cash donation, which allows Cash for Kids to purchase gifts from wholesalers at a third of the recommended retail price, helping donations go even further. There’s also an Amazon Wishlist, where gifts can be sent directly to Mission Christmas HQ, ensuring they arrive in time to be packed and delivered. You can donate via the Amazon Wish list HERE.

Organisers are also welcoming people to visit Mission Christmas HQ at Birkenhead Car and Van Hire, to see first-hand the incredible work being done and the impact donations make.

With time running out, Mission Christmas is asking the city to come together once again and do something truly magical. A single gift, a small donation, or simply sharing the appeal could help ensure thousands of local children wake up to the joy, excitement and dignity every child deserves on Christmas morning.