The 2025 Toys4Birmingham campaign has reached its target, supporting children and young people across Birmingham during the festive period.
The Warwickshire Cricket Foundation has once again partnered with Birmingham PlayCare Network and Thrive Together Birmingham to deliver the Toys4Birmingham Christmas gift campaign, using Edgbaston Stadium as the central collection and distribution hub.
Now in its fifth year, the initiative brings together members of the public, Foundation staff and local businesses to donate new toys and gifts, helping to ensure children and young people across Birmingham can experience the joy of Christmas.
The campaign supports families facing poverty or living in temporary accommodation during the festive period.
This year’s campaign successfully reached its target of 15,000 donated toys, which were sorted at Edgbaston Stadium before being distributed to more than 120 community groups, children’s centres, schools and children’s charities across the city.
The initiative is believed to be the only Christmas gift campaign of its kind run by a professional cricket club in the country.
Community Engagement Officer, Esther Lau-Mackaay, said: “We’re incredibly proud to support the Toys4Birmingham project here at Edgbaston Stadium. When families are facing some of the toughest moments of their year, these gifts bring genuine joy and relief.
“Being able to use our home at Edgbaston to help deliver that impact is a privilege, and it reminds us just how powerful it is when we come together to support children and young people in Birmingham.”
Donations from the community once again played a vital role in the success of the campaign, with gifts collected from the public, businesses and Foundation staff before being sorted and distributed by volunteers.
Louise White, Development Worker of Thrive Together Birmingham said: “Toys4Birmingham 2025 has been a great success! 14,500 toys and gifts have now been given to 109 children’s charities, groups and projects, who work directly with families struggling to buy toys and gifts for their children. These generous donations are now supporting families and carers to help make this Christmas special for their children.”
“Thank you to our partner, the Warwickshire Cricket Foundation, for your generous support again this year. We seriously couldn’t have run the appeal without you.”