Frequently asked questions
Donating Gifts
Please see our drop-off map at . You can take your new and unwrapped gifts to any of these locations or to our Mission Christmas HQ, located at .
Please see our list of gift ideas at . We support children from birth to 18, but always struggle most with gifts for babies and teenagers (especially boys).
Unfortunately we can't accept donations of any food or chocolates as the children who receive the gifts may be allergic to particular food items and we don't always have access to this information. If you have food to donate please give it to your local Food Bank instead.
All gifts should be unwrapped. Gifts are left unwrapped for safety reasons, and to enable us and the recipients to work out which age group they are suitable for.
There's no need to do this - we always check the age outlined on the box.
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.
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.
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.
We do! Please remember 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.
Yes - our Mission Christmas HQ is located at (opening hours ).
We ask that all gifts are donated by Tuesday 18th December.
Gifts are sorted by the Cash for Kids team and volunteers. The gifts are signed for and collected by the organisation who have applied on behalf of the children they work with. The organisation then wrap and distribute the gifts to the children they are supporting.
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 allows everyone to get their gifts on time.
Donating cash
Please donate online here. You can also make a £5 donation by texting or a £10 donation by texting TEN to 70808*.
Payments can also be made via bank transfer, using the following details:
Account Name:
Sort Code:
Account No.:
You can drop cash off in person at .
Any cash donated will be used to purchase gifts for age groups and genders that we are struggling to support using the gift donations we receive. Once we have fulfilled all of our gift applications any funds remaining will be used to provide grants for disabled and disadvantaged local children next year.Any cash donated will be used to provide grants for disabled and disadvantaged local children.
Applying for gifts
From birth to 18 years old.
All applications should be made by a representative from an official organisation, such as a school, teacher, social worker, doctor/GP etc. on behalf of all families and children. Unfortunately the general public can't apply directly.
Please also view our eligibility criteria here.
You can apply online here.
Our gift application system will send you an email once we receive your application, which will contain a unique tracking number. We'll always do our best to fulfil every application we receive, but cannot completely guarantee this as as we're relying on donations to the appeal.
You'll receive an email when your gifts are ready to collect. All gifts will be ready for collection no later than Thursday 20th December.
We receive applications for thousands of children and we rely on donations to fulfil each request, and applications for some age ranges are harder to fulfil than others, so you'll only hear from us when all of the gifts for every child in your application are ready for collection.
No, but please be aware that large orders do take longer to be fulfilled. So long as you can confirm that every child you are applying for is in need of the gifts and meets our eligibility criteria we'll endeavour to fully meet your request.
Yes, as long as this is before you've been informed that it's ready for collection. If not a new application will be required.
Please get in touch with us using the information on your tracking email.
The deadline for applications is . However, we'll do everything possible to ensure that no child goes without at Christmas so please contact us on if you have a request past this date.
We only grant gifts at Christmas and don't give out cash grants. However, organisations can apply separately for a grant to cover specific items and equipment here.
Collecting gifts
Only if they've been registered on your application form in the 'Official Collector' area, and identification must be provided.
No - under normal circumstances we can only pick gifts in-line with your given genders and age ranges. However if you have a particular need for specific gifts please outline this on your application in the additional information section. We'll do what we can to fulfil such requests but can't guarantee that this will be possible.
Making changes to the gifts you are collecting at this point will not be possible. Your order will already be fulfilled ready to collect.
We're located at - click here to view on Google Maps.
Collection times and dates will be specific to each organisation and will be communicated to you once your application has been processed. Our Mission Christmas HQ is open .
No, we're not able to deliver gifts. Unfortunately for safety, logistical and data protection reasons all gifts must be collected from the warehouse by a person named on the application form.
No, you'll receive an email to tell you when the order is ready. We process a large volume of applications so are unable to follow up by phone.
Please specify this on the application form, although we can't make guarantees as we rely on donations to fulfil orders.
Drop-off Points
This year we’re not accepting open applications to be a Mission Christmas drop-off point; however if you'd like to find out more about collecting gifts at your company please contact .
Yes! We encourage all companies to take part and get their staff to donate gifts or cash. Once you have collected your gifts just take them along to one of the drop-off points detailed on the map at .
Any company or organisation can become a drop-off point by signing up online and agreeing to our terms & conditions. You can register here.
Sorry we can't accept private homes as drop-off points.
Due to the volume of drop-off points we can't collect gifts from everyone. You'll need to get them to our warehouse located at , or your local B&M store (not avilable in all areas - please check the map at before making a trip.
Gifts can be delivered to , which is open .
Boxes are unfortunately only for sponsors and partners. Posters are downloadable from the confirmation email you'll receive once approved as a drop-off point.
We suggest you hold the gifts until you have enough to take them to our warehouse at Unit 25-30, The Gyle Shopping Centre, Gyle Ave, S Gyle Broadway, Edinburgh, EH12 9JY.
You'll only appear on the map once we've approved your registration (this can take up to 24 hours, and possibly longer at weekends) and if you have registered as a 'Public drop-off point'. Please check the confirmation email you received that the correct information has been entered.
If you believe your location to be incorrect please contact us at and we will address this as soon as possible.
Tuesday 18th December.
Tuesday 18th December.
If you're able to bring them to our warehouse on or before Tuesday 18th December we'll endeavour to get them distributed before Christmas. If you miss the closing date unfortunately we're unable to guarantee distribution; however they're still very much appreciated and will be used for emergency grants in the New Year or kept in storage until next year’s Mission Christmas. We'll do sweep-ups in January for any outstanding gifts.
Yes! Please register here as a 'Private' drop-off - you won't appear on our map but we'll have a record of your support.
Fundraising
We want everyone to get involved in Mission Christmas! Cash can be donated online, we've got fundraising materials available to download and you can create an online fundraising page - visit for more information.
We would encourage that any cash raised is donated to us as we have deals in place with companies to purchase gifts at special rates. Funds may also be used for specialist gifts, e.g. for disabled children, or for emergency grants.
You can donate online at or you can bring in cash to Cash for Kids, Radio Forth, Forth House, Forth Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3LE.
Donate £5 or £10 by text - just send or TEN to 70808*.
Payments can also be made by bank transfer using the following details:
Account Name:
Sort Code:
Account No.:
Grant Applications
3rd September 2018.
19th October 2018
We aim to pay all grants by the week commencing 3rd December 2018.
Sorry, we don't accept applications from individuals. You need to go through a suitable supporter, and they can access details on our website of how to make the application on your behalf.
Suitable supporters inlclude social workers, your GP, a teacher etc.