How To Join The Christmas Present Drive For Children In Doncaster

Christmas is just around the corner, and for many, it’s a time filled with excitement, family, and festive joy. In Doncaster, a massive community effort is underway to make sure that feeling reaches every corner of the city. The annual 'Pass The Parcel' present drive is back, and this year, the ambition is bigger than ever. It’s all about bringing the community together to provide a bit of comfort and happiness for local families and children who might otherwise go without. Last year's drive saw incredible generosity, and the plan for this Christmas is to build on that success and make an even greater impact.

From a bus to a lorry: going bigger for 2023

Anyone who saw it last year will remember the sight of a bus, packed to the brim with presents, making its way along the Doncaster road network. With Santa at the wheel, that bus became a symbol of the community’s spirit. It made its annual stop at the children’s ward at Doncaster Royal Infirmary and also visited amazing places like Foster For Doncaster and the Eve Merton Dreams Trust. The whole operation was a huge success, spreading festive joy across the city.

But this year, the goal is to reach even more children. Thanks to some fantastic partners, the scale of the delivery is getting a serious upgrade. The experts at Pass Logistics have stepped in to help with the, well, logistics. This means Santa won't be needing his bus keys. Instead, he’ll be in charge of an entire lorry. Think about that for a second – a whole lorry full of presents, ready to be delivered to children all over Doncaster. It’s a huge step up, driven by the determination to make this the biggest Christmas delivery the city has ever seen.

A present for every child

The core idea behind the drive is simple but powerful: every child in Doncaster deserves a present this Christmas. The Club Doncaster Foundation, along with its 100Club partners, is leading the charge to turn this idea into a reality. The project relies entirely on the generosity of people in the local community. It’s a collective effort, a chance for everyone to play a part in making the festive season a little brighter for families across the city.

The call is for people to purchase a new, unwrapped present for a child. The age range is broad, covering everyone from newborns right up to age 16. Finding the right gift can sometimes be tricky, especially for older children. For younger children, things like toys, books, and craft sets are always winners. For those approaching age 16, gift sets, headphones, or vouchers can be a great present. The main thing is that it’s a gift given with a bit of thought and kindness. The impact of receiving a special present at Christmas can be massive for a young person.

How the present drive works

Getting involved couldn't be simpler. Once a present has been bought, there’s no need to find the wrapping paper and sticky tape. To help with the massive task of sorting and distribution, organisers ask that people do not wrap the gifts. This makes it much easier for the team to make sure the right present gets to the right child.

The deadline for dropping off gifts is Tuesday, December 11. This cut-off gives the volunteers enough time to sort through the mountain of donations, wrap everything beautifully, and plan the logistics for the grand delivery before the big day arrives. There are dozens of drop-off points scattered across Doncaster, making it convenient for everyone to contribute. It's a huge operation, but with the support of the community, it’s one that brings so much comfort and joy.

More than just presents: supporting local foodbanks

While the focus is on making sure children have a present to open, the Christmas drive also aims to provide wider support for the community. This year, the appeal is also collecting non-perishable food items and essential hygiene products. Christmas is a time when the demand on local foodbanks is at its highest, and their stocks can run low very quickly.

Things like tinned goods, pasta, rice, and cereals are brilliant food items to donate. And it's not just about food; hygiene essentials are also desperately needed. Items like toothpaste, deodorant, soap, and sanitary products can make a huge difference to people struggling to make ends meet. These can be dropped off at the very same locations as the presents. It’s an opportunity to provide practical support and comfort to the whole community when it's needed most.

Find your nearest drop-off points

A huge number of local businesses and organisations have signed up to be official drop-off points. Their support is what makes a city-wide drive like this possible. Whether people are doing their weekly shop, heading to a football match, or just passing by, there’s likely a convenient location nearby. This network of partners ensures the entire Doncaster community can participate in this fantastic Christmas appeal.

Here is a list of all the places ready to accept donations:

Location Name	Address
Eco-Power Stadium	West Reception, Stadium Way, DN4 5JW
Fish Bits	61 Carr House Road, DN1 2BY
Crown Hotel Bawtry	Market Place, High Street, Bawtry, DN10 6JW
Peak Mechanical Services	LKH Estate, Tickhill Road, DN4 8QG
Taylor Stevenson	Unit 5, Shaw Wood Business Park, Shaw Wood Way, DN2 5TB
Dolphin ICT	The Lodge, Armstrong House, First Avenue, Auckley, DN9 3GA
KC Sofas	Units 2 & 3, Wagon Works, J3 Business Park, Balby, Carr Hill, DN4 8DE
Treo Recruitment	Office 3, Stone Cross House, Doncaster Road, Kirk Sandall, DN3 1QS
The Styrrup	9 Stripe Road, Rossington, DN11 0XY
Saxon Travel	Main Depot, 206 East Lane, Stainforth, DN7 5HF
Albemarle Homes	Grove Barn, 11 Silica Court, Kirk Sandall, DN3 1EG
Taco Bell	Unit 8 Herten Way, Herten Triangle, DN4 7NW
Taco Bell	Frenchgate Shopping Centre, St Sepulchre Gate, DN1 1SW
KFC	Lakeside Factory Outlet, White Rose Way, DN4 5PH
KFC	Frenchgate Shopping Centre, St Sepulchre Gate, DN1 1SW
KFC	York Road Retail Park, Unit 3 Sprotbrough Road, DN5 8AD
KFC	Leger Retail Centre, Thorne Road, DN2 5DX
Austin Banks Recruitment	Unit 5 Heather Court, Shaw Wood Way, DN2 5YL
District Four Design	Apex Office Space, 1 Water Vole Way, DN4 5JP
The Dome	Doncaster Lakeside, Bawtry Road, DN4 7PD
Denaby Main Primary Academy	School Walk, Denaby Main, DN12 4HZ
Grange Lane Academy	Grange Lane, New Rossington, DN11 0QY
Plover School	Coniston Road, Intake, DN2 6JL
Holy Family Catholic Primary School	Kirton Lane, Stainforth, DN7 5BL