Press release -
BTHA announces KidsOut as official Toy Fair 2020 charity
(London, UK) 5 November, 2019–The British Toy and Hobby Association has announced today that Toy Fair 2020’s official charity partner will be the children’s charity,KidsOut.
KidsOut works with Women’s Aid Federation refuges across the UK. The charity provides support, organises positive experiences, and gives toys to vulnerable children who have escaped domestic abuse.*
For the fifth year,KidsOut will run the Trolley Dash donation drive on the last day of the Toy Fair. Last year’s show saw over 60 volunteers take to the show floor with empty shopping trolleys,collecting more than 4,000 toys kindly donated by exhibiting companies.
The toys collected at Toy Fair play a major role in KidsOut’s toy outreach programmes throughout the year.Supported by the huge collection from the Trolley Dash 2019, the charity was able to launch a brand-new service this year - the‘Safe House Toy Box’scheme.
Safe House Toy Box delivered toy boxes to more than 600 children in outreach and safe houses this year-to-date, increasing the charity’s outreach by 20%.The service is an extension to the charity’s existing Toy Box initiative, which distributes thousands of toy boxes to children in Women’s Aid refuges across the country. Both schemes combined have reached more than 3,000 children so far this year.
“KidsOut strives to bring fun and happiness to as many vulnerable young people as possible. Support from the Toy Industry through events like Toy Fair is essential in aiding KidsOut to expand its services and reach even more disadvantaged children around the UK,”said Gordon Moulds CBE DL, KidsOut CEO.
“We are always overwhelmed by the generosity and support from our exhibiting companies at Toy Fair,” commented Majen Immink, Director of Fairs and Special Events. “Thank you again for helping us to support this incredible charity,and their important work.”
Toy Fair takes place at Olympia, London from 21-23 January 2020.To register for a free pass to the show simply visit www.toyfair.co.uk.
Follow the latest Toy Fair news on Twitter at @toyfairuk. For operations and sponsorship enquiries, please contact Rebecca Deeming: rebecca@btha.co.uk.
Note to editors
*Below is a testimonial from Lighthouse Women’s Aid that took part in distributing toys for the Safe House Toy Box initiative.
“I just wanted to thank you for the Toy Boxes which arrived last week. It was quite overwhelming opening them and finding all the lovely toys and games which the children will just love. Some of these toys have already found their way to their new owners and they were delighted.” – Lighthouse Women’s Aid
For more information please contact
Jordan Tunnicliff or Emma Withington
Bastion, 35-41 Folgate Street, Spitalfields, London, E1 6BX
T: +44 (0)20 3927 6430
About Toy Fair
Toy Fair is the UK’s largest dedicated toy, game and hobby trade exhibition taking place at Olympia London. The event takes place over three days at the end of January each year and plays host to hundreds of exhibitors, from start-ups to some of the biggest toy companies, launching thousands of new toy lines.
Toy Fair 2020 takes place from Tuesday 21st – Thursday 23rd January. Press day is 21st January, Influencer day is 22nd January. To register for a press pass, visit www.toyfair.co.uk.
Please note the opening times are 09:00-18:00 Tuesday 21st and Wednesday 22nd, and 09:00-17:30 Thursday 23rd January.
About the BTHA
The British Toy & Hobby Association was established in 1944 to represent the interests of British toy manufacturers and to raise standards of practice in the industry. Today it has around 150 members ranging from international toy giants to small family-run businesses that together account for more than 80% of the UK’s legal branded toy market. Membership of the British Toy & Hobby Association shows the member’s commitment to adhere to the BTHA Code of Practice under the umbrella of the Lion Mark which includes assurances covering ethical and safe manufacture of toys, toy safety, a ban on counterfeit goods, an assurance to market responsibly, a commitment to improving sustainability and a desire to promote the value of all play through support of the Make Time 2 Play campaign and the design of fun toys. Our members are manufacturers committed to making good quality toys in a responsible way. The BTHA also administers the Toy Trust - the industry’s charity.
