Disney U.K. Launches Charity Campaign

Disney Store U.K.’s annual Share in the Magic charity campaign launched Wednesday with an event at London’s Oxford Street Disney Store that was attended by celebrities and their families.

Among the stars in attendance at the event were Denise Van Outen, Michelle Heaton, Elen Rivas, Tom Fletcher from McFly and Jo Whiley, who helped raise money for the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity with 10 percent of all sales being donated to the charity in addition to soft toys.

The Share in the Magic campaign invites families across the U.K. and Ireland to post their own Letter to Santa at Disney Stores and online. For every letter that is posted Disney Store will donate a soft toy to children through a variety of local charities.

This year, 40 local children’s charities have were nominated including When You Wish Upon A Star in Nottingham, Rockinghorse in Brighton, Key 104 Cash for Kids in Manchester and the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice in Belfast.

This is the fifth year that Disney Store U.K. has run the charity campaign, which, to date, has donated more than 60,000 toys to charities throughout the U.K. and the rest of Europe. This year, Disney Store U.K expects to donate an additional 15,000 soft toys.

“Each of our stores has a special relationship with a variety of local children’s charities that they work with closely throughout the year,” says Graham Burridge, managing director, Disney Store Europe. “Our annual Share in the Magic Christmas campaign is extra special as it encourages everyone to get involved and experience some of the Disney magic. We are always delighted at the response from the public to help support our charity campaign and hope that the public will bring their letter to Santa into our stores again this year and help us bring some magic and joy to thousands of children this Christmas.”