Over 8,000 toys donated
Published: 20/12/2023
We're thrilled to announce that a final total of 8020 toys have been donated to ‘The Forgotten Toys’ Christmas appeal. The ever-growing pile of toys flooded out of the toy donation station and created an amazing display.
The toys will be donated this week to three local charities, Sebastian’s Action Trust, The Children’s Trust and The Lighthouse, who will distribute all the pre-loved toys collected to the children who can love them once again, in time for Christmas.
The donations drive returned this year in a bid to give something back to those who might otherwise go without this Christmas, and to support those feeling the pinch due to the cost-of-living crisis. The focus of the appeal has been donating pre-loved toys that are no longer used, so that they have the opportunity to be loved once again by a new owner. However, the centre has also seen a massive amount of additional kindness with people buying new gifts on site to donate to the appeal. One gentleman, whose son died 30 years ago, does something special every Christmas in his memory - this year he bought £100 worth of brand-new toys to donate. All these donations show just how important giving back is for people this year.
Santa is enjoying meeting all the children coming to see him in his toy workshop too. He will be at Victoria Place every day this week until Sunday 24th December at intervals between 10am-5pm. Santa’s toy workshop is complete with animatronic singing reindeers and the visits are free with a special gift included to take home to remember the experience. No pre-booking is required.
If that isn’t enough, a whole host of other leisure activities are on offer, including the Peter Pan panto at the New Victoria Theatre, festive films at Nova Cinema and Christmas bowling packages at Woking Superbowl.
A visit to the centre wouldn’t be complete without visiting the wide variety of stores on offer. From stocking fillers and party food, to sparkly party outfits and gift wrap, Victoria Place is the place for Christmas essentials and much more.