"We identified the need to provide orphans with new toys this festive season, as a new toy represents so much to children that don't have families or get to enjoy Christmas," says Catherine Jacoby, marketing manager at Toys R Us.

"The gift of play is made more significant by a carefully selected toy specifically suited to each child and we wanted to make this year memorable for these children," adds Jacoby.

"Lock-down has been particularly hard on these children who have faced many hardships who still continue to smile and soldier on," Jacoby adds. "Many don't receive new gifts or toys and we're thrilled to have been able to make this possible and fill these children's hearts with immense joy."

Jacoby adds that each of the toys were hand-picked by the Toys R Us team of experts at each of the stores in the regions where the homes are based. "Our Christmas wish is that everyone gets to experience a little bit of Toys R Us magic and never grow up."

The recipients of the Toys R Us gifts included:
  • the Johannesburg Children's Home, Joburg's oldest charitable institution
  • Durban Child and Youth Centre, which cares for orphaned, abandoned, neglected and abused children, and
  • South African Children's Home, the first welfare institution established in South Africa that is based in Cape Town.
For more information, visit www.toysrus.co.za. You can also follow Toys R Us on Facebook or on Instagram