A TEAM of generous National Lottery winners have sprinkled a little extra Christmas magic in Caerphilly, packing and wrapping giftboxes of toys for local children to enjoy this festive season.
Christmas tunes filled the air, as the group were put to work at the ToyBox Project in Bedwas, Caerphilly, a National Lottery-funded good cause that collects pre-loved and new toy donations and gifts these to families and organisations in need across South Wales.
With Christmas a particularly busy time for ToyBox Project, and equally demanding for families, the winners formed their own version of Father Christmas’ North Pole workshop. They carefully sorted, packed, and lovingly wrapped toys for children of all ages – from newborn babies to teenagers – who might otherwise have very little to unwrap on Christmas morning.
The charitable winners didn’t arrive empty-handed either, all on a mission to bring some of their own Christmas magic, they arrived with new items to add to the ToyBox Project’s donated gifts and toys. In between the packing, the winners met with some of the families who’ve been supported by the project to hear firsthand just how important it is, not just at Christmas time.
Among the helpers was mum of five, Ceri-Ann Roscoe-Roberts from Llanberris who won £1M in 2023.
She said, “As a mum of five, and especially before our amazing win, I know Christmas can be a tricky time so when I heard about the project, Paul and I jumped at the chance to help out.
“While they are busy year round, the volunteers have told us demand doubles at Christmas and they’re expecting to provide toys to more than 1,500 kids.
“We genuinely hope what we have done today helps make Christmas a little brighter for these kids and their families in South Wales.
“Seeing how much love and effort goes into ToyBox’s work is really inspiring – it reminds you what the true spirit of Christmas is all about.”
Since being established in 2020, Toybox has become an essential resource for thousands of children, and their families, across south Wales; in 2024 alone, they provided toys to more than 9,000 children. The project operates all year round, and in addition to the Christmas gifting and a free-to-use shop, partners with local schools to help distribute toys meaning even more items are put to good use.
Darren and Gemma Burfitt, from Swansea, who won on the Euromillions Millionaire Maker last year said, “For all children, ours included, Christmas is such a magical time and ToyBox helps keep that magic alive by providing gifts to those children who may have nothing or very little to open on Christmas.
“Not only that, by making sure preloved toys are also gifted they help to keep perfectly good items our of our landfill. It’s been fantastic, and humbling, to help out on this project.”
James Morgan from ToyBox Project added, “The National Lottery winners’ energy and enthusiasm have really brought the Christmas spirit alive!
“We are a completely volunteer-led project, so we always struggle, especially at this time of year, to get everything done.
“Having this extra help will really set us up for the Christmas rush and thanks to their help, and additional gifts, many children across South Wales will have a magical surprise to open this Christmas.
“Anyone who is keen to help us, in any way, would be very welcome as this will enable us to reach even more communities. We welcome donations of toys, time and, with costs rising and demand skyrocketing, financial contributions too.”
ToyBox Project has three simple aims, gift toys to those in need, keep toys out of landfill and provide an affordable toy shopping experience, to help it with this vital work. The ToyBox Project has received £144,800 from the National Lottery Community Fund.
Playing any National Lottery game is more than just a chance to win; it’s a way to contribute to something much bigger. Each week, players help generate around £30M for National Lottery-funded projects. With over £50BN raised for Good Causes since launch, this funds hundreds of projects in every postcode area across the UK.
The other winners bringing their own Christmas cheer to Caerphilly included;
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