Emmaus Colchester wants new, unwrapped toys and games at 4A Arthur Street by Friday 11 December. Last year Operation Christmas sent out over 350 gift bags.
The homelessness charity Emmaus Colchester is asking people to drop new, unwrapped toys and games at its Arthur Street warehouse by Friday 11 December, for children in low-income families across the city. Operation Christmas, run with the recruitment agency Reed, is in its 17th year.
The charity says last year’s appeal was its most successful so far. More than 350 Christmas present bags went out across Colchester, each holding individually wrapped gifts worth £25. They went to local charities, to schools and to the children of four people Emmaus Colchester supports, who are known to the charity as companions.
What to give and where to take it
The charity is asking for donations that are new, unused and unwrapped:
- toys and games
- books (listed on the appeal poster)
- gift vouchers
- sweets
- stationery
Take them to the Emmaus Colchester warehouse at 4A Arthur Street, Colchester, CO2 7DT, before Friday 11 December. The warehouse is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm. Each donation is wrapped by the charity and grouped by age, then passed to schools and local charities that work with disadvantaged children.
What the charity says
Thomas Empson, chief executive of Emmaus Colchester, said:
“Everyone likes to receive a gift from a loved one at Christmas, particularly children and young people. However, the financial pressures that come with the festive season can prove hugely challenging for families across Colchester.
“Our Operation Christmas campaign helps to ease the burden for families by giving children Christmas gifts they’ll love. None of this would be possible without the support of our partner, Reed, and our wonderful customers.”
The appeal poster puts it more plainly: the aim is to reach children “who may otherwise wake up on Christmas morning with little or nothing to unwrap”, and the charity wants to make its 17th campaign “the biggest yet”.
Reed’s part, and how businesses can join in
Reed Colchester collects gifts from its clients, candidates and staff. Roxy Jarrold, senior executive consultant at Reed Colchester, said:
“Christmas can be a challenging time for many families. Through the generosity of our clients, candidates, and colleagues, we hope to make a meaningful difference and bring some festive cheer to children who may otherwise go without. This campaign highlights what can be achieved when local businesses work together to support their communities.”
She said the campaign is part of Reed’s wider social impact work across the UK.
Dominic Ghobadi, a recruitment consultant at Reed Colchester, said: “Businesses interested in supporting the initiative are encouraged to contact the Reed Colchester team to learn more about becoming a collection partner or making a donation.”
Who Emmaus Colchester is
Emmaus Colchester gives people who have been homeless a home and work in its social enterprises, which include its charity shops in the city and its home and property services. The money those businesses make keeps the community running. The charity says there are 28 Emmaus communities in the UK, supporting more than 1,000 companions.
In September we reported that the charity had been given £85,000 to repair the roof over its Osborne Street warehouse and shop.
What it means for you
If you are buying an extra present this year, the deadline is Friday 11 December, and the gift has to be new and unwrapped so the charity can sort it by age before wrapping it. The warehouse takes donations Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm. If you are driving in, see our guide to parking in Colchester.
Schools and charities that work with families who could use the gifts, and businesses that want to collect, should contact Emmaus Colchester or Reed Colchester directly.
Sources
- Emmaus Colchester press release, photograph and appeal poster, sent to The Colchester Post on 2 November 2026, including the quotes from Thomas Empson, Roxy Jarrold and Dominic Ghobadi, the 350 bags, the £25 value, the 17th year, the drop-off address and the 11 December deadline; the warehouse opening hours followed by email the same day.
- Emmaus Colchester, the charity’s website.
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