Two tonnes of pre-loved toys donated to MEA Christmas Appeal

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Cllr William McCaughey, with volunteers at the MEABC Christmas Toy Appeal 2021.

Thanks to has wonderful local residents, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Christmas Toy Appeal has generated an amazing two tonnes of pre-loved items over recent weeks!

Special Christmas containers were set up at our Household Recycling Centres, with an additional drop-off point at Carrickfergus Enterprise, so that good quality, pre-loved toys could be given a new home this festive season.

For the third year running, Council worked in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, East Belfast Mission (Restore) and local community groups including Glenravel and District Community and Residents Association, Larne Community Care Centre Group, and new partners Carrickfergus Enterprise, to deliver our annual toy donation scheme.

The project ran between Monday 22nd November and Saturday 11 December, with drop off points located across the borough.

Over 8.5 million toys are thrown away each year in the UK, adding massively to the waste which is sent to landfill.

In 2019 we diverted over 1 tonne of toys from landfill and gifted to local communities, with 2.3 tonnes diverted and gifted last year in 2020.

The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor William McCaughey, said:

“We are delighted that our residents have once again thought about others on the run up to Christmas by donating two tonnes of toys to our drop off locations across the borough.

“Not only have they donated toys to pass onto families in need within the borough, they have diverted them from landfill and have supported local charities to raise much needed funds. This is a true circular economy story with a happy ending.”