Christmas charity: Yorkshire locals spread festive cheer as they donate unused toys to children

To cut down on waste, residents have been urged to help spread some Christmas cheer to youngsters across the county by donating unwanted or unused toys and games at their local household recycling centre.

Cllr Gregory White, Executive Member for Environment at North Yorkshire Council, told GB News: “We get an awful lot of additional waste at Christmas time, both in the lead up to, and after Christmas.

“Obviously, people get loads of new stuff and throw all the old stuff away, which is what people do, but it’s frustrating sometimes, especially if stuff comes in that looks like it’s got a bit more life left in it.

“If we can get people to reduce the amount of waste they produce, re-use stuff and then when they have to get rid of stuff, recycle it, that actually reduces the impact that we make on the planet.”

The council’s Re-Use Santa appeal aims to reduce waste and provide presents to hundreds of children who otherwise might not receive a gift this Christmas.

Steven Midgley is the Yorwaste Northern Area Manager and told GB News: “We ask residents of North Yorkshire to bring in new or toys and gifts to give to children.

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“We bring them in, we grade them, we clean them, and we partner with several charities throughout the region to make sure they go to children who ordinarily wouldn’t get a Christmas present.”

Residents like Jen Black have supported the appeal to help families struggling with the cost of living crisis.

She donated toys at a household waste centre in Northallerton and said: “It just breaks my heart really that children don’t get toys at Christmas, and I think it’s a really good idea to instead of giving your toys or throwing them away or selling them, to donate them to children who need them.

“It feels like a good thing to do.”

The donated toys are cleaned and tested by volunteers and Yorwaste staff, sorting and preparing them for charities to distribute to struggling families.

John Dunwell, Yorwaste Marketing Co-Ordinator, said: “The toys range massively from cuddly toys to board games to trains and cars, you name it, we’ve had it donated, which is absolutely fantastic.

“The children that will benefit range from birth right up to 17 and 18-year-olds.

“It must be quite worrying for some families how they’re going to give their children a good Christmas, so we expect that it will be a relief that there will be another source to help fill Santa’s stocking.”

Three thousand items were donated through the scheme last year and it’s hoped that even more children can be helped this Christmas.