Schools and charities across the Tees Valley have until Friday 13 November to refer children and families to The Teesside Charity’s 2026 Christmas Toy Appeal. A separate Christmas Giving Fund is also offering organisations support worth up to £500, with applications due by Friday 20 November unless the available funding is committed sooner.
Who can make a Toy Appeal ?
The Toy Appeal is intended to help children in families experiencing financial hardship receive a gift at Christmas. Referrals cannot be made directly by parents or other individuals. The charity says applications must come through a school, registered charity or charitable organisation.
Referring organisations should follow the charity’s official instructions and provide the information requested for each household. This includes the family surname and postcode, the ages of the children being referred and their schools where the referral is not being made by a school. The charity says incomplete submissions cannot be processed and asks organisations to allow 10 to 15 working days for a response.
Approved referrals will be available for collection by appointment between 2 and 4 December. The charity will contact referring organisations directly to arrange collection. Because the process involves information about families and children, organisations should use the official referral route and handle the details securely.
A separate £500 fund for community support
The Christmas Giving Fund serves a different purpose. Charities, community and voluntary organisations, and schools working in the Tees Valley can apply for support of up to £500 towards practical Christmas help.
The charity says the fund can contribute to gifts, food and hampers, essential vouchers, activities or experiences, and other initiatives that directly benefit people facing financial hardship. Applications are assessed using the level of need, the number of people who would benefit and the difference the proposed support could make. First-time applicants will need to provide references.
Support may be offered as vouchers or financial assistance, depending on the request. The pot is limited, so not every application can be funded and the application window may close before Friday 20 November if demand is high.
Other ways to support the appeal
The wider Toy Appeal is also accepting new, unwrapped gifts for children and young people from birth to age 16. The charity asks supporters not to donate used gifts, homemade or knitted items, and says batteries should be included where a toy needs them. Its official appeal page lists collection points across the Tees Valley and an online wish list, while businesses can arrange workplace collections or fundraising.
Two routes, two different applicants
The distinction matters. The Toy Appeal enables eligible organisations to refer particular children and families for gifts. The Giving Fund supports organisations delivering a wider Christmas project or practical assistance in their community. Neither route is a direct cash application for an individual household.
Schools and organisations can check the Toy Appeal referral guidance and the Christmas Giving Fund information on The Teesside Charity’s website. The live pages should be checked immediately before applying, particularly because the Giving Fund may close early.
The featured photograph is an illustrative image of donated toys awaiting distribution in the United States. It does not show The Teesside Charity’s appeal.