Mission Christmas: Cash for Kids
27th November 2025
Doncaster Knights is supporting Cash for Kids’ Mission Christmas.
This Christmas, hundreds of thousands of children will be living in poverty across the UK. Many are at risk of waking up with nothing under the tree because Christmas is a luxury their families simply can’t afford.
Mission Christmas is here to change that. With the help of Doncaster Knights supporters, they are getting ready to help Santa reach children who might receive nothing – making sure they have something special to open on Christmas morning.
Supporters can help. We are collecting presents for children up to the age of 18, on their behalf. Bring in your unwrapped donations gifts/presents to the Castle Park reception by Tuesday 16th December. Mission Christmas support children from birth to 18 but struggle the most with gifts for teenagers and babies (especially boys).
When bringing in presents we do have a criteria to be met. Here is a short Q&A:
What sort of gifts should I buy?
We support children from birth to 18, but always struggle most with gifts for babies and teenagers (especially boys).
Do you accept food?
Unfortunately we can’t accept donations of any food. If you have food to donate, please give it to your local food bank.
Do you accept selection boxes?
Yes – these must be new and sealed and will only be given as an addition to a gift bundle.
Do you accept second-hand or used gifts?
We can’t accept any second-hand or used gifts, regardless of their condition, for health and safety reasons. We also only accept new gifts to ensure that the children we support are getting something new for Christmas – especially since it may be the only gift they receive.
Do I need to wrap the gifts?
All gifts should be unwrapped. Gifts are left unwrapped for safety reasons, and to enable us and the organisations we support to work out which age group they are suitable for.
Do I need to label suitable ages on gifts?
There’s no need to do this – we always check the age outlined on the box.
Do you accept rolls of wrapping paper?
Yes we do! We pass these on to other local charities and organisations who receive gifts so parents and carers can wrap their children’s presents.
What about presents that require batteries?
Batteries can be expensive for parents to buy, so if possible please do provide them. Please tape batteries to the side of the box so that children can play with their gift on Christmas Day.
Do you take clothes?
We do, but please try to only donate clothing that is one-size-fits-all (e.g. hats and scarves) as we aren’t given sizing information for the children we support. Please also remember that this is a gift appeal, so we would appreciate it if you chose an item of clothing suitable to give as a gift. Clothes must be new and carry all washing and safety tags. Unfortunately we can’t accept hand-made clothing.
Do you accept second-hand clothes?
We don’t accept second-hand clothes as Mission Christmas gifts but you can take them to one of our Cash for Kids recycling banks which are available in many areas. Please visit cashforkids.org.uk/recycling and enter your post code on the map to find your nearest textile recycling bank. We’ll receive money for the items which will go towards our granting programmes.
Can I take gifts bought elsewhere to other stores acting as drop-offs?
Yes, these can be taken to locations shown on this map, by 18th December.
Can I take gifts directly to your warehouse?
Yes. Mission Christmas HQs can found on the drop-off points map.
When do you need the gifts by?
As early as possible, and no later than 18th December. Our fans need to be bringing their gifts to reception by Tuesday 16th December then we will drop everything off no later than Thursday 18th December.
Where do the gifts go? How are they distributed?
Gifts are sorted by our team and volunteers. The gifts are signed for and collected by the organisation who has applied on behalf of the children they work with. The organisation then wrap and distribute the gifts to the children they are supporting.
Why do you stop taking gifts in before Christmas Eve?
We, along with the organisations we’re supporting, need a couple of days to sort and deliver the gifts to children and their families. Closing donations a few days before Christmas.
