Pre-loved toys scheme is back in borough

For the second year running, Council are working in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, East Belfast Mission and Drop Inn Ministries to deliver a toy donation scheme through HRC’s at Waveney Road in Ballymena, Glenarm, Redlands in Larne, Larne South, Islandmagee and Sullatober in Carrickfergus.

The scheme will run between from November 16 and Friday December 18.

Residents from the borough, and beyond, are being invited to drop off pre-loved and unwanted toys into a specially designated container on each of the sites.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Peter Johnston, said: “We hope that through this scheme, more perfectly good toys will be re-used rather than just being thrown away. We are supporting the waste hierarchy which promotes prevention of waste and re-using, where possible.

“The ideal toys that we would be looking for would be: kids bicycles, scooters, plastic seesaws, small plastic slides etc, games, vtech toys, jigsaws, books, dolls, robots, most plastic/wooden toys etc, in good working order. We will not accept soft plush toys e.g. teddy bears.”

On arrival at the HRC site attendants will direct you to the container and Council will then donate these to Habitat for Humanity in Ballymena, East Belfast Mission (Restore shop in Larne) and Drop Inn Charity Shop in Carrickfergus who will provide access to the public to purchase these unwanted and pre-loved toys, at a very reasonable price.

A spokesperson for Habitat for Humanity, said: “We are delighted to be part of the Christmas Toy Container at this time of year which can be so challenging for families on low incomes. We look forward to being able to offer families the opportunity to get good, quality toys at low cost.”

Residents kindly dropping off the toys will need to do this without assistance from our site attendants, in line with the current restrictions.