Our Christmas toy appeal has now ended.  Thank you so much to everyone who contributed and to all those who volunteered.  We will be back in the new year to tell you how many children we were able to help ... and we couldn't have done it without your help! 

BCM’s Christmas programme has become a ‘help line’ for local families who are in need and similar projects have now been run by BCM for well over 100 years. 

BCM provides and coordinates the distribution of presents for children aged from birth to 16 years and to our young service users in our floating support and housing support projects.  Most of these items are donated by individuals, schools, churches and staff in local businesses but every year we run out of donated gifts for a variety of ages and must purchase them quickly from local retailers.                                      

Christmas is a difficult time for a lot of BCM’s service users. It is the time when financial problems, debts, isolation, family break-up and lack of support are hardest to face. The people that we provide help to come from across all communities, different backgrounds and education levels. They struggle with finding a job, making ends meet or just coping with family issues.

Applications are already being received from needy families.  Those who receive help from BCM’s Christmas programme also include referrals from other agencies e.g. social services, SureStart centres (Sure Start programme supports parents with children aged under four years old, living in disadvantaged areas in Northern Ireland), Women’s Aid, homeless people living in hostels and people who have been identified by BCM during our other programmes throughout the year. 

In all, with the help of a team of faithful volunteers, a total of 3,840 children received gifts of toys last year.

To donate to this appeal please click HERE

If you, your family, friends or colleagues would like to donate physical toys or gifts to this year's appeal, you can drop them down to Donegall Road Methodist during the two weeks of the Appeal from December 12th. To book a time slot for a delivery, please click here: 

https://bit.ly/GivingTree2022

Thank you, on behalf of all those your donation will help.