The campaign is aiming to make sure no child in the region wakes up without a gift on Christmas morning
A community group has launched its biggest ever Christmas campaign in a mission to make sure no child wakes up on December 25 without a gift. The Christmas Toy Drive was founded by Andrew Banks in 2013 and has grown from a small community effort into a major volunteer-led initiative supporting children across North Lincolnshire and the wider Humber region.
Now in its 12th year Andrew has set in motion the biggest ever drive and is urging the community to help bring Christmas joy to children of all ages.
Last year, the Toy Drive delivered gifts to children supported by a number of organisations, including North Lincolnshire Council’s Fostering & Adoption Team, Scunthorpe General Hospital Disney Children’s Ward, Grimsby Hospital Children’s Ward, Hull Royal Infirmary and Hull Women & Children’s Hospital.
Andrew, of North Lincolnshire, said this year’s appeal marks a significant expansion as The Christmas Toy Drive is now partnering with local schools and pastoral/safeguarding teams, food banks and community pantries, family hubs and women’s and family support organisations. The partnerships allow the Toy Drive to reach a wider range of children, including vulnerable families who would never directly ask for help.
The 2025 campaign features more than 30 official drop-off points across the Humber region. Local businesses, community groups, gyms, cafés, and public venues across Grimsby, Scunthorpe and beyond have all joined the effort.
Founder Andrew Banks said: “Our aim is simple: no child should ever feel forgotten at Christmas. With the support of local residents and businesses, we’re able to bring joy to children who need it most. The generosity we see every year is truly humbling.
“When I started this it was because my daughter ended up in hospital with a severe abscess and if it had burst she could have died, and this was over the Christmas period. We were really fortunate and two days before Christmas Day I got to pick her up and take her home.
“But what I noticed as I was leaving was the amount of children in hospital on the ward that were going to be there. When I spoke to the nursing staff what was going to happen, they said they were going to be there over Christmas, and that really got to us. They said some will see family, some won’t, and some will have Christmas presents and some won’t.
“We decided that was a horrible thing – there had to be something to do.”
Andrew started the toy drives as a small community move, but has since expanded.
He said: “A couple of years ago we were able to help local children’s services, primarily by making sure that we not only go to our local children’s hospitals, but also to services that weren’t getting anything to distribute to children, who needed a smile put on their faces at Christmas. Now we’re growing bigger than ever and we want you to help.”
Those who want to take part can donate a new, wrapped toy, labelled with the child’s age and gender, and drop it off at a collection point. The initiative is also running an appeal to help cover the cost of banners, signage, flyers, and outreach materials to raise awareness across local communities.
The full list of drop off points
- The Brigg Martial Arts Centre
- Corner House, Brigg
- Barton Martial Arts, Barton-upon-Humber
- Winterton Karate
- The Haven Inn, Barrow Haven
- Beyoutiful Nails, Ulceby
- Lincolnshire Flapjack, Brigg
- Jaylaurs Sewing Studios, Brigg
- Holidays By Design, Brigg
- The Cookie People, Scunthorpe
- Sykes Motor Services Ltd, Brigg
- The Black Bull, Brigg,
- The Hop Inn, Brigg
- Rands Solicitors, Scunthorpe
- Roxby Road Garage, Scunthorpe
- Rocklocks, Scunthorpe
- Hunters Estate Agents, Scunthorpe
- Tilly’s Treat Cupboard, Scunthorpe
- Peaceful Investments, Scunthorpe
- Little Fox, Brigg
- Create Hair Studio, Winterton,
- The Winterton Federation
- Richtoy Motorsport, Scunthorpe
- Scawby Academy
- Nathaniels Jewellers, Scunthorpe
- Mrs Humphreys Home Help
- Union Brigg
- Sills & Betteridge Solicitors, Scunthorpe
- Cobweb Crystal, Scunthorpe
- Bee Zen
- Pepperells Solicitors, Scunthorpe, Lincoln, Grimsby and Barton-upon-Humber