What do I do with the unwanted cuddly toys?

[MirandaG]

I have a bin bag full of cuddly toys that I need to get rid of, but don't want to just bin. I don't think most charity shops would take this many, so is there anywhere else that takes them? I live in west London. I'm not being really nasty and throwing out favourites or anything - DD1 has an unbelievable number because she was the first grandchild on both sides. Trust me - she will not notice. Am logging off now, but if anyone has any ideas I would be really grateful to hear them. Thanks!

Childrens hospital. Some little mites don't have anything to cuddle when they are ill . I think some don't accept them though because of the germs they spread

do you get those bags through the door from charities that they collect? I'd chuck them all in. I am forever getting rid of my dd's 1000's of cuddly toys and then like a fool we go to the charity shop every week and buy someone else's donated tat!.. and then in a few weeks time I will donate it again and so the cycle continues.

How about freecycle or ringing local schools to see if they want them for raffle prizes xx

we found the hospital would not take them as they could not be cleaned regularly, but charity shop were happy to have

another alternative is donate to local school for tombola prizes?

charity shops/ jumble sales/ we give a lot of stuff to our nursery as although we pay fees they are also a registered charity through the church and are very grateful for good condition second hand goods

doctors/dental surgeries/ local mother and toddlers groups/ womans refuge etc

i put anything i dont want outside my front gate at 8am, usually by 5pm theres nothing left, if there is it goes to charadee.

Do you have any blankie type ones? If so ebay them - a mangy rabbit went for £72 the other week. Desperate parents methinks

Oh Avenanap, that's like the Velveteen Rabbit

Somebody here said she washes hers and makes them little adoption certificates with names etc and sells them on a stall at the school fete for the schools funds

i give mine to social services use to be able to give to hospitals not sure if allowed anymore but mine get sent on to womens refuges

also you could ask nurseries or play groups i like the fact mine go to mums and babies that ahve nothing

Thanks all. Some good idease - now I just have to motivate myself to actually carry them out!

If anyone is else is looking for somewhere to give toys - Barnardo's took them happily! (Oxfam wont take them) Also discovered our local waste recycling centre takes toys.