Cork families urged to donate pre-loved toys to a good cause

In the run-up to the festive season, the Enable Ireland charity shops in Cork, including the new homewares shop on 33, North Main Street in the city, are calling on local families to think ahead and donate pre-loved toys and Christmas decorations.

A hundred per cent of profits from each toy and decoration sold will raise vital funds to support Enable Ireland’s disability services across Ireland.

Everyone who donates to the shops as part of the Pass Christmas On campaign will also be entered into a raffle to win a Christmas hamper.

As people start to prepare for Christmas, Enable Ireland is encouraging us all to take stock of high-quality decorations that are no longer used.

Rather than placing them back in the attic to be overlooked for yet another Christmas, the public can ‘Pass Christmas On’ by donating these forgotten favourites to Enable Ireland.

Equally, parents, grandparents, and guardians are encouraged to consider what toys their children no longer play with - or perhaps never did - and, if they’re in good condition, donate them to Cork’s Enable Ireland charity shops.

The appeal comes as the shop typically receives a surge of donated toys and Christmas decorations at the start of the New Year.

However, in the weeks before Christmas, many people on tighter budgets visit the shop looking for affordable gifts and festive items.

By donating toys and decorations early, families can make a real difference - reducing waste and giving these items a second life, while supporting Enable Ireland’s vital disability services.

Everyone who donates toys and decorations to Enable Ireland’s Cork shops will be entered into a raffle to win a Christmas hamper.

Tickets can also be purchased to enter the raffle, with all funds raised supporting Enable Ireland’s disability services. A winner will be announced at the end of November.

Oonagh O’Connor, Head of Commercial at Enable Ireland, said: “Our shops are on a mission to extend the joy of Christmas by finding forgotten toys and decorations a new home in time for the holidays.

“Many of us have built up boxes of decorations over the years. If you have decorations in great condition that won’t be decked in your halls, our shops would love to accept them!

“Likewise, sorting through your children’s toys before Christmas is a wonderful opportunity to teach them about sustainability, reducing waste, and helping others.

“The decorations and toys your family donate could bring joy to another family’s Christmas - and every sale helps fund Enable Ireland’s vital services.”

All profits from the Cork charity shops go directly towards Enable Ireland’s disability services, supporting more than 13,000 children and adults nationwide.

Items that cannot be sold are responsibly recycled or repurposed through Enable Ireland’s recycling partners, ensuring minimal waste.

Enable Ireland’s shops in Cork city are currently accepting donations of quality pre-loved toys and decorations at:

• 32 and 33 North Main Street
• 25a Parnell Place

They also accept clean, good-quality clothes, shoes, handbags, accessories, towels, linens, homeware, glassware, collectables, books, and unwanted gifts.

Please note that, due to disposal costs, the shop cannot accept electrical items, broken goods, or soiled items.

For more information, visit www.enableireland.ie

About Enable Ireland

Founded in 1948, Enable Ireland provides services for 13,000 children and adults with disabilities and their families in 15 counties.

Our services for children and their families cover all aspects of a child’s physical, educational, and social development from early infancy through adolescence.

We offer a range of services to adults with disabilities which include day care, training, personal development, supported and independent living, and social and leisure activities.

The demand for our services continues to increase throughout Ireland.

We have set ourselves the challenging goal of meeting these needs by providing a full range of high-quality services and expanding into local communities.

Enable Ireland is part funded by the State. Every year we require more than €2 million in additional funding to meet the costs of delivering our services.

Without this additional income from our shops and fundraising, we would not be able to meet the needs of the children and their families relying on our services.

Enable Ireland has 28 shops across Ireland, selling clothes, books and bric-a-brac. Proceeds go directly to Enable Ireland, improving the services we provide.

Further information on:

www.enableireland.ie

www.facebook.com/actionondisability

www.twitter.com/enableireland

www.instagram.com/enable.ireland