A TOY shop in Eastleigh has started taking donations of old toys so that their New Year's clear out can "bring smiles to new faces".

The Entertainer toy retailer has announced the return of its successful initiative, "The Big Toy Rehoming Campaign", where each branch works with The Salvation Army to provide some of the most underprivileged children in the UK toys at the start of the New Year.

The family run business is nation wide, and has 172 stores across the UK, one of which is located in Eastleigh's Swan Centre.

From January 2 until January 31, residents of Eastleigh can bring in toys to the branch, where they will be sent to The Salvation Army and distributed to the children who need them.

Gary Grant, Founder and Executive Chairman of The Entertainer said: “We are incredibly proud to announce the return of The Big Toy Rehoming campaign alongside The Salvation Army. It has been especially brilliant to receive feedback from those both on the receiving end of donations and kind families donating, with words of encouragement and praise for the campaign.

"Last year was a phenomenal success and we hope to continue to increase the number generous donations we receive for 2020, especially as families look to declutter their homes after Christmas and make room for their new toys and games.”

The initiative aims to reduce the number of toys that could find their way into landfill by giving toys no longer played with a new lease of life, whilst aiming to support the 4.1million underprivileged children living in poverty across the country.

More than 16,000 toys that would have ended up on a landfill were rehomed by The Entertainer in 2019, after running donation schemes in June and September.

Kirk Bradley, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Salvation Army Trading Company, said: “Donations from the last Big Toy Rehoming campaign hugely helped in continuing to provide practical and emotional support for vulnerable people in the UK.

"It’s such a worthwhile cause and we’re looking forward to the public joining in again as they declutter their homes after the festive season!”

To find out more, visit www.thetoyshop.com/bigtoyrehoming.