Sunderland Salvation Army launches its annual Christmas Present Appeal for 2026
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.
The Salvation Army is calling on the community in Sunderland to share love and hope this Christmas by donating new toys to its Present Appeal to help make sure no child goes without a gift on Christmas Day.
Every year Salvation Army churches ask people to donate new toys and gifts for children whose families are already making impossible choices between food, heating, and bills.
Last year, thanks to the generosity of local people and businesses, Salvation Army churches across Sunderland distributed gifts to 610 children with the church and charity fearing the relentless increase in the cost of living will mean more people need help this year.
Nick Hall, Caseworker at The Salvation Army’s Austin House Family Centre, which also collects and distributes gifts on behalf of The Salvation Army’s Monkwearmouth and Millfield churches, said: “This Christmas families are wondering how they’ll get through the week. Our Christmas Present Appeal is an opportunity for people in our community to embrace the spirit of Christmas and give to families and individuals who have next to nothing.
“Christmas is meant to be a time of joy and togetherness, but for the people who are already struggling to put food on the table or heat their homes, it can be incredibly stressful and isolating.
“We believe every child deserves to experience joy on Christmas morning. We are always overwhelmed by the generosity of the public in supporting our appeal each year, and hope the good people of Sunderland can help us again to make sure every child wakes up on Christmas Day with a smile on their face.”
Donations can be dropped off at Austin House in Shakespeare Street, Southwick, and The Salvation Army Donation Centre in Hylton Retail Park until 14 December, however the earlier you can make a donation the better. They are in particular need of gifts for teenagers.
You can also make a donation via the Amazon gift list here https://www.amazon.co.uk/registries/gl/guest-view/GO3GDF11FI78? Or justgiving here https://www.justgiving.com/page/austin-house-family-centre-3?utm_medium=FA&utm_source=EM
The Salvation Army will sort and distribute the gifts to children and families in the area through local groups, schools and social services.
Gifts can include anything from educational toys, baby clothes, bath toys, books, including learn to read books (for babies and toddlers) to dolls and action figures, sports equipment and clothing, toiletries (please try to ensure non-allergic ingredients if possible), gloves, scarves, hats, T-shirts, hair accessories and gift vouchers for older children.
A church and charity, The Salvation Army expresses its Christian faith by offering friendship, practical help and support to some of the most disadvantaged people in our communities. To help support The Salvation Army’s year-round work please visit: salvationarmy.org.uk/donate
For more information about the Christmas Present Appeal and ideas about gifts, see our website: https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/christmas-present-appeal or contact Austin House here https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/southwick