Warwick families invited to swap toys they no longer need for Christmas presents at a free event
Families in Warwick are being invited to swap toys they no longer need for Christmas presents at a free community toy swap later this month.
The event is part of The Big Toy Swap, a nationwide campaign helping communities make Christmas gifting more affordable and less wasteful by keeping quality good toys in circulation.
The campaign is run by Party Pact CIC and funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and encourages families to pass on good-quality toys they no longer need and take home toys for their children at no cost, helping make Christmas more affordable while keeping toys in use for longer.
Katie Shacklock, owner of Room to Breathe Decluttering, has organised the Warwick event, which will take place on Sunday November 22 from 10am to 11.30am at the Chase Meadow Community Centre.
Families will be able to bring along clean, good-quality toys their children have outgrown and exchange them for something new to them.
There will be opportunities to donate in advance of the event, with dates to be confirmed – and it will cater for ages 0-11 years old. There will also be an opportunity to choose toys if you’re unable to donate after 11am.
Katie said: “As a professional declutterer and organiser with a passion for sustainability, and as a mum of two children, the Big Toy Swap is a perfect event for me to host.
“It will not only give people an opportunity to clear their clutter before Christmas but it also helps toys stay out of landfill and, with the cost of living crisis going on at the moment, give sustainable and low/no cost gifts to those children who may not get many otherwise.
“Partnering with Chase Meadow Community Centre for this event is the perfect match and I look forward to working with them.”
This is Katie’s first Toy Swap event but she hopes that it will become an annual event.
Charlotte Mason-Curl, founder of Party Pact CIC, which created The Big Toy Swap, added: “Most people would be very happy to get a pre-loved present but feel awkward giving one. We want these toy swaps to make that normal, even something to be proud of – as well as saving families money.”
Free tickets to the event are available from: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-big-toy-swap-warwick-tickets-2001874968921