# IKEA Soft Toy Campaign raises €12.4 million for Save the Children and UNICEF

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2012/03/09/ikea-soft-toy-campaign-raises-e124-save-children-and-unicef/
- Published: 2012-03-09T09:16:06+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

![](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/files/images/news/ikea_soft_toys.jpg)

Customers and staff at home furnishings company IKEA have raised €12.4 million in
the company’s annual Soft Toy Campaign, beating the target of €12 million. The money
raised will be donated to UNICEF and Save the Children to support children’s education
programmes all over the world.

Teddy bears themed activities, celebrities and customers took part in a range of
fundraising activities at IKEA stores across the UK during November and December
2011. The campaign was launched by singer Sophie Ellis Bextor who took part in a
special book reading and teddy bear’s picnic at IKEA Wembley.

## How IKEA raised funds

Between 24 October and 23 December, when customers purchased any soft toy, kids 
meal and children’s book, the IKEA Foundation made a donation of €1 to the appeal.

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Customers took part in the instore ‘Give Twice’ incentive, helping donate IKEA soft
toys to local children’s charities. By purchasing any soft toy, IKEA customers helped
donate 9,835 toys and 13,904 books to local charities all over the UK.

## IKEA Soft Toy campaign

The IKEA Soft Toy campaign began in 2003. Managed by the [IKEA Foundation](http://www.ikeafoundation.org),
it has raised €47.5 million so far. The Foundation aims to improve the opportunities
for children and youth by funding holistic, long-term programmes that can create
substantial, lasting change, and enable them to take charge of their own future.

This year’s donations will help UNICEF and Save the Children train teachers in child-
friendly teaching methods, supply educational materials like pencils, books, bags,
rebuild schools and provide better water and toilet facilities, and increase school
attendance rates.

Tanya Steele, [Save the Children](http://www.savethechildren.org.uk)’s Director 
of Fundraising and Julie Weston, Director of Fundraising at [UNICEF UK](http://www.unicef.org.uk),
both thanked IKEA and its customers. Steel said: “To raise €12.4 million is an incredible
achievement; it will enable millions of children around the world to enjoy a quality
education and have the opportunity to fulfill their potential.”

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