I didn’t think anyone would get me anything this year” – quote from a child who was supported by the 2025 Toy Drive.

This is just one piece of feedback from Wiltshire Police Christmas toy drive, supporting Swindon Borough Council.

More than 4 hundred gifts and toys were collected from police officers and staff, local businesses and members of the public for children who are spending Christmas in care or whose families cannot afford to buy presents.

The Police Cadets in Swindon helped sort and wrap all the donations before they are handed over to Social Services for distribution.

Alison Creswell, Wiltshire Police Cadet co-ordinator said, “This is the second year that they have worked in partnership with Swindon Borough Council to ensure that vulnerable children in Swindon will wake up to gifts on Christmas morning, and we hope that next year we will be able to collect and wrap even more!

“I would like to say a huge thank you to our unit leaders for their hard work collecting donations and to everyone involved, for giving the cadets the opportunity to support their local community in such a meaningful way.”

Other quotes shared with the cadets included:

• “This makes me feel happy and safe.”
• “I can’ wait to show my brother what I got.”
• “This is the best Christmas present I’ve ever had.”

PCSO Lee Stenning, from the Youth and Early Intervention Team said, “It is absolutely heartbreaking to read some of the messages, but it demonstrates that all the kindness and hard work shown by everyone truly made a difference!”

Councillor Paul Dixon, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care at Swindon Borough Council, said: “We know that Christmas can be an especially challenging time for some of our children and young people, particularly those in care or living in families facing financial pressures.

“This generous initiative shows what can be achieved when organisations and communities work together. The support from Wiltshire Police, the Police Cadets, local businesses and residents has helped ensure that hundreds of children in Swindon felt remembered and valued over the festive period.

“On behalf of the Council, I would like to thank everyone involved for their kindness and commitment to supporting some of the most vulnerable members of our community.”

You can find out more about the Police Cadets here: Police Cadets | Wiltshire Police