Press release -
BTHA announces KidsOut as official show charity for Toy Fair 2019
The Trolley Dash will deliver thousands of toys to vulnerable children this Christmas
(London, UK) 13 November, 2018 –The British Toy and Hobby Association today announced that KidsOut will return as the official charity partner for Toy Fair 2019. The children’s charity will again run the Trolley Dash, where exhibiting companies will donate thousands of toys to vulnerable children on the final day of the show.
KidsOut is a children’s charity that works with Women’s Aid Federation refuges across the UK, providing positive experiences for children who have escaped domestic abuse. As well as organizing fun days out and toys for refuge playrooms, the charity also rehomes toys to children directly through the Toy Box Initiative.
2019 will be the fourth time KidsOut has hosted the Trolley Dash, which collected more than 4,000 toys at last year’s show. The drive will take place on the final day of Toy Fair, when KidsOut volunteers will race across the show floor with empty shopping trolleys, gathering toys generously donated by exhibiting companies.
“The relationship KidsOut has with Toy Fair and its exhibitors is essential in helping the charity bring fun and happiness to Britain’s most disadvantaged children,” said Gordon Moulds CBE DL, KidsOut CEO. “The children we provide relief for have often experienced physical, emotional, and even sexual abuse, and often flee to refuge without any possessions. Industry support from Toy Fair goes a long way to showing these young people that someone does care, while bringing joy and a sense of normality back into their lives.”*
“We’re delighted to have KidsOut as the official charity of Toy Fair 2019,” commented Majen Immink, Director of Fairs & Special Events. “KidsOut works tirelessly for children up and down the UK, so we are pleased to offer our support once again. I would like to say a personal thank you to all exhibiting companies, past and present, for their generosity that has made the Trolley Dash a success every year.”
Toy Fair takes place at Olympia, London from 22-24 January 2019. 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 Majen@btha.co.uk.
Note to editors
*Below are testimonials from families that have benefited from the Toy Box initiative. Names have been removed to protect identities.
“My son didn’t have many toys as everything was left behind. When he opened the box all he kept saying was “Oh my god” over and over, he was so excited, it brought tears to my eyes, I can’t thank you enough.”
“My daughter had to leave everything behind and I've been trying to replace them but was finding it hard, as I had to buy more important things that we needed. Now she feels like there are people that can be nice. It makes her so happy when she opens the box.”
“The children were both surprised by the toy boxes, especially my little one as due to the way in which we had to leave Costa Rica he couldn’t bring much. It was a lovely surprise for him and for us too. The toys and games were very helpful and brought joy to both my kids. It helps occupy their minds on something else, something productive, and keep their minds away, at least for a short period of time.”
“KidsOut’s Toy Box service is nice because if you’re in such a hard situation parents don’t exactly look to buy new toys, you have to first of all get the necessities. And KidsOut, they think children are very important, so their happiness is the first thing they look for. It felt really nice to know that someone thinks about you, and even if they don’t know you personally, they still think about you in a way and they show their support.”
For more information please contact
Ravi Vijh or Becky Mullen
Bastion, Unit 4 07, The Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JJ
T: +44(0)20 3841 7660
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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 startups to some of the biggest toy companies, launching thousands of new toy lines.
Toy Fair 2019 takes place from Tuesday 22 – Thursday 24 January. Press day is Tuesday 22 January. To register for a press pass, visit www.toyfair.co.uk.
Please note the opening times are 09:00-18:00 Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23, and 09:00-17:30 Thursday 24 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 130 members ranging from international toy giants to small family-run businesses that together account for more than 80% of the UK 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.
