Where to donate actual presents for underprivileged children?

[Strawberrycream1]

I have quite a few new presents I want to donate to underprivileged children for Christmas. I’m going to get some gift bags put a present and choc selection box in each with a label for the age range and if for boy or girl.
Anyone know where I can take these so they go where needed most (I’m in the Essex area)?

If you have a dunelm near you they have a present collection for children.

Food bank ?
Call your local children's services

Salvation Army collect all these things in our area

Wicks definitely used to do this (and hopefully will this year). They don’t want the present wrapped though. Also Salvation Army and maybe your local radio appeal?

Try your local home-start if you've got one, they often hold an event for families to get Christmas presents. I work at one, this year we're working with another charity to ensure more families are reached, but in the past we've done it alone and were thrilled to receive donations

Also ask your local town/borough/city council.

Local foodbank takes them here

Home start.

Where in Essex? 3food4u is a great charity which is currently collecting gifts for children, based in the Epping forest area.

If you can locate your nearest Women’s Refuge they might be happy to receive them. Everything must be new, no tatty old stuff! Best to get in touch first, rather than just turning up - as they may already have made arrangements elsewhere.

Children in refuges may not actually be ‘underprivileged’ in their normal life but they’re likely to have left most of their belongings behind and be living in an unfamiliar place in stressful circumstances.

Just seen a collection in my Lidl & B&M usually do one.

Try any big shopping centres too, Heart radio do a collection & there was a place to drop them off in the Westfield in derby

Thanks, Great ideas everyone I will check them out

A school
We have 70% free school meals and all our children get substantial gifts- mostly donated directly from people, businesses or charities.

It might be worth asking you local church as well as council. They will often go beyond food bank to eg hygiene products and so would not be surprised if they can give you a steer as to where to give children toys / presents.

I was going to say school. We have lots of families that really struggle at Christmas and staff club together to donate presents. I am sure they would appreciate a contribution to this.

Local church. Brentwood Catholic Children's Society runs a collection like this I believe. They work with children from all backgrounds not just Catholic.

Our local town food bank also takes them