# Lidl pledges £125k to support festive events as part of 2024 Christmas charitable drive

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/11/01/lidl-pledges-125k-to-support-festive-events-as-part-of-2024-christmas-charitable-drive/
- Published: 2024-11-01T09:33:26+00:00
- Author: Melanie May

**Lidl has unveiled its Christmas charitable drive, pledging £125,000 in grants 
to support its charity partners hosting festive events across the country. Today
also sees the return of Lidl’s in-store Christmas Toy Bank.
91% of charities within
Lidl’s Toy Bank charity network said they would welcome financial support to host
festive events, and 85% are planning special gatherings for their communities who
may otherwise struggle to celebrate Christmas this year. The £125,000 in grants 
will provide essential funding to purchase food and supplies, ensuring more families
can experience the magic of the season.

In addition to the grants, Lidl is asking customers to help make a difference by
contributing to its nationwide Christmas Toy Bank. 97% of Lidl’s charity partners
need toys to distribute this year, with the retailer aiming to donate over 100,000
toys.
Starting from today, 1 November, customers can drop off new and unopened toys
at any Lidl store across the country, which will then be distributed locally to 
children of all ages through the partner charity network. Items such as toys, games,
books, puzzles, and arts and crafts can be donated, from small stocking fillers 
to larger gifts.

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Ryan McDonnell, CEO of Lidl GB, said: 

> “Supporting local communities is at the heart of what we do at Lidl.Together, 
> with our customers, we’re following the festive tradition of helping others through
> our Toy Bank and festive grants.We’re proud to provide this much-needed support
> to our charity partners and, with the help of our generous customers, bring smiles
> to thousands of children at Christmas. Our partnership with Neighbourly allows
> us to provide food and resources to those who need it most, and our £125,000 in
> festive grants will help ensure that even more people can enjoy the season together.”

Steve Butterworth, CEO of Neighbourly, added: 

> “We’re delighted to be partnering on this scheme again this year. Lidl’s toy bank
> has been hugely successful over the past two years, with countless local charities
> telling us of the joy it has brought to the families they support. Every gift 
> of any size donated to Lidl’s Toy Bank will be greatly received.”

#### ⏎ Join Lidl’s Community Fund in 2025

Looking ahead, Lidl is encouraging more local charities to sign up for support through
its partnership with Neighbourly, including its food donation programme for 2025.
Since launching this initiative in 2017, Lidl has donated the equivalent of 26.5
million meals in partnership with Neighbourly to those in need through its work 
with over 1,500 local charities.
Lidl donates £500,000 annually through the Lidl
Community Fund to tackle hunger and provide support to vulnerable households. Charities
interested in partnering with Lidl for 2025 are encouraged to [register their interest](https://www.neighbourly.com/goodcause/new)
through Neighbourly.