In a heart-warming display of British generosity and community spirit, iconic British manufacturer JCB has once again proven that it builds far more than world-class machinery.
This Christmas, the Staffordshire-based firm has delivered a record-breaking haul of festive gifts to families and children across the Midlands and North Wales.
Launched in November, JCB’s annual Christmas Toy Appeal saw donations pour into 15 collection points across the company’s UK plants, comfortably beating last year’s total of 1,700 presents. In total, thousands of toys have now been gathered, wrapped and distributed, bringing joy to families facing real hardship during the most challenging time of year.
The bulk of this year’s donations have been handed over to the Stoke-on-Trent charity Hubb Foundation, which will ensure the gifts reach children and families in the greatest need across the city.
The festive spirit was on full display when the first batch of presents was delivered to delighted pupils at New Ford Academy in Smallthorne, Stoke-on-Trent. The gifts were personally handed out by JCB-sponsored athlete and Olympic silver medallist Adam Burgess, alongside JCB apprentices Kitty Hulme, Lewis Durham and Lucy Pepper, a powerful reminder of how business, sport and community can work together.
Tom Beecham, Operations Manager at the Hubb Foundation, praised the impact of the appeal on local families:
“JCB’s Christmas Toy Appeal means so much to us as a charity and it means so much to the children and families we work with in Stoke-on-Trent. Christmas is a challenging time of year, so to bring some happiness and positivity to children at this time of year is wonderful. We cannot thank JCB and all the employees enough for their ongoing generosity.”
That sentiment was echoed by schools benefiting directly from the appeal. Deputy Head Tracy Moller described the reaction as gifts were distributed:
“It was wonderful to see the excitement on the children’s faces as the gifts were handed out. We would like to thank all the fabulous employees at JCB for their generous donations.”
Since the appeal was launched in 2022, JCB employees have donated almost 6,000 gifts for distribution to children and young people, underlining the company’s long-standing commitment to its communities. The goodwill extends beyond Staffordshire. In Wrexham, gifts donated by JCB Transmissions employees are being distributed locally via the Salvation Army, while additional presents have been donated to Cheadle Primary School to support families closer to home.
Helping to co-ordinate this year’s appeal were JCB apprentices Kitty Hulme, 20, of Newcastle under Lyme, Lewis Durham, 20, of Derby, Lucy Pepper, 23, of Stoke-on-Trent, and Will Jenkins, 20, of Stone, young people already demonstrating a strong sense of responsibility, teamwork and pride in British industry.
As the nation looks towards Christmas, JCB’s toy appeal stands as a powerful example of what British companies can achieve when they put community first, practical compassion delivered at scale, with festive cheer to spare.
