Cumberland Council is working with The Big Toy Swap to help give unwanted toys a new home this Christmas, reducing waste while helping families save money.
Running throughout November, the national initiative encourages families to pass on good-quality toys their children have outgrown and pick up pre-loved items for free. This helps keep toys in use for longer and makes second-hand gifting a positive choice this Christmas.
Cumberland Council’s Hosted Waste Reduction Team will run a community toy swap at Carlisle Market Hall on Friday 20 November, from 9am to 5pm.
Ahead of the event, Cumberland Council staff are also being encouraged to donate unwanted toys at collection points at Cumbria House, West Cumbria House, Market Hall in Whitehaven and Parkhouse at Kingmoor Business Park.
Cumberland Councillor Denise Rollo, Executive Member for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places, said:
“Many families have toys, games and books at home which their children have outgrown but which still have plenty of life left in them.
“The Big Toy Swap is a simple way to give those items a new home, prevent good-quality toys from going to waste and help families find Christmas gifts without the added expense.
“We are pleased to be supporting this national campaign here in Cumberland and would encourage people to come along to the Carlisle event, please just pop in and bring what you can take what you need.”
The team is looking for toys, games, puzzles and children’s books that are clean, complete and in good condition. Battery-operated toys should be in full working order.
Broken, incomplete, unsafe or stained items cannot be accepted. Soft toys must have a CE label.
The Carlisle event forms part of wider Big Toy Swap activity across Cumberland. A swap has already taken place in Workington, with further community events including:
- St Bees Village Hall: Saturday 7 November from 2pm
- Carlisle Market Hall: Friday 20 November, from 9am to 5pm
The council’s Hosted Waste Reduction Team may also pass surplus donated toys to other swaps taking place in the area.
The Big Toy Swap began in Kendal and has grown into a national campaign, with community-run events helping families pass on good-quality toys and take home items at no cost.
For further information, visit The Big Toy Swap website or email [email protected]
