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Folkestone's Bigjigs Toys donates a pallet of presents to kmfm’s Christmas campaign

09:00, 28 November 2022

updated: 13:33, 28 November 2022

A toy firm that was started in a Kent shed has donated a huge haul of gifts to bring joy to vulnerable children this Christmas.

Folkestone’s Bigjigs Toys has again contributed to kmfm’s Give a Gift campaign to make sure that kids in hospital and living in care wake up to a full stocking on December 25.

Sam Ireland showing off some of the toys his family firm is donating this year
Sam Ireland showing off some of the toys his family firm is donating this year

kmfm’s long-running campaign gathers thousands of presents for young people in challenging situations throughout the run-up to Christmas.

Sam Ireland, operations director at Bigjigs Toys, says the business enjoys being part of the initiative and has been taking part for several years.

He said: “It’s something we like to get involved with every Christmas. There are people out there who aren’t as fortunate as us and we’re in a fortunate position where we are able to help.

“kmfm’s campaign has been a great campaign for a number of years and something we enjoy getting involved with. It’s as simple as that, really.”

This year, their donation - which arrived on a pallet - included train sets, puzzles, games and educational toys.

He hopes the donation, which includes gifts appropriate for a wide range of ages, will bring smiles to faces on the big day.

Peter, Sam, Tom and Liz Ireland, the family behind BigJigs Toys in Folkestone. Picture: Gary Browne
Peter, Sam, Tom and Liz Ireland, the family behind BigJigs Toys in Folkestone. Picture: Gary Browne

Mr Ireland has also tried to make sure his donation includes some of the playthings he predicts will be the most popular this Christmas - fidget toys.

“Fidgets are massively popular this year," he said.

"Kneado balls, pop-its and the atomics - they are all the rage at the moment."

Bigjigs Toys, which opened its doors in 1985, is a family business which started its life in a back garden in Folkestone.

In 2018 staff at Bigjigs Toys worked together to break the Guinness World Record for the longest wooden train track.

Sam, son of founders Peter and Liz Ireland, said: “Big Jigs Toys is a family-run business started by my mum and dad in their garden shed 37 years ago.

“They were making puzzles out of floorboards and today we design, manufacture and sell toys around the world into more than 100 countries and into retailers up and down the high street.”

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