Toy Fair exhibitors donate in excess of 6000 toys to Kids in Mind!
Following a busy three days of business for the toy industry at the largest UK toy trade show taking place at Olympia London, Toy Fair exhibitors generously donated a record-breaking amount of product to the shows’ official charity partner Kids in Mind via the annual ‘Trolley Dash’ which took place at the end of the show.
Kids in Mind, in its first year as the show’s official charity partner, brought in more than 50 volunteers who scurried up and down the aisles collecting in excess of 6000 toys and games generously gifted by exhibitors.
Kids in Mind, a charity dedicated to helping children who have been victims of abuse and forced to flee their homes for refuge, received a diverse range of products which will all go directly to children who are experiencing a traumatic period in their young lives.
Last year Kids in Mind distributed almost 3,500 toy boxes to children in need, each box containing 10 brand new toys, bringing joy to thousands of displaced children and providing loose toys to disadvantaged children facing various challenges such as poverty, disability, sickness, or other disadvantages. The items donated by Toy Fair exhibitors this year will contribute to this support, bringing a glimpse of happiness and distraction to vulnerable children at a time when it is most needed.
Julian Margolin MBE, the CEO of Kids in Mind, expressed his gratitude, saying, "We were overjoyed and overwhelmed by the level of support shown by the industry at this year’s Toy Fair Trolley Dash. We are so grateful for the incredible amount of product gifted to the charity, which will contribute immensely to bringing a smile to so many children’s faces at an extremely difficult and painful time in their young lives. We would like to express our huge appreciation to the exhibitors who so generously donated their stock, but also the BTHA, as well as the volunteers and unseen heroes supporting with trolleys and transport, Tesco, and Marks and Spencer."
The first lorry load of product from the trolley dash was delivered to one of the Kids in Mind partners, LIFE Church, Bradford.
General Manager Rob Hutcheson:
“We would like to express our sincere gratitude for the toys donated through the London Toy Fair. LIFE Church is based in one of the most deprived areas of the UK and in the third most deprived ward within the city of Bradford. Although we work alongside families presenting complex needs, through our partnerships, we are helping families to make a difference.
Each toy given is strategic and is often given into situations where it will be the only toy the child will have.
The majority of our families are coming from a refuge situation or will be single women who find themselves in an extreme situation with their children. The impact of the generosity from each of the toy companies involved in this donation goes beyond simple kindness and charity. When we hand these toys over, they are received as a message that the child matters, they are seen, and that you care. Thank you in this instance doesn't sufficiently express our gratitude. But our sincerest thanks is what we give. On behalf of the families, we have the privilege to work with - thank you.”
Majen Immink, Director of Toy Fair, said: “We are extremely pleased to have partnered with Kids in Mind for the first time on this wonderful annual charitable initiative. The staff and volunteers are highly motivated and efficiently sped round the halls collecting in the thousands of products which ultimately will go directly to help spread joy to children in desperate situations. We are so grateful for the support of our exhibitors who continue to give so generously; it’s fantastic to be able to partner with a charity that works directly with children in need of support.”
If you are interested in getting involved or learning more about the charity, please email info@kidsinmind.uk or visit www.kidsinmind.uk.
To talk to the Toy Fair team, please call 020 7701 7127 or visit www.toyfair.co.uk