Changing children’s lives for good: Donations for the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal 2025 open tonight
Unwrapped: The Toy Show Appeal - airing this Sunday on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player- showcases the real-life impact of the appeal
The Toy Show Appeal has raised €26 million for children’s charities
The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal 2025 will be launched tonight on The Late Late Show, inviting people across Ireland to share once again in the magic of giving and The Late Late Toy Show. By supporting the Appeal, the public can help change the lives of children and families nationwide, turning the joy of the nation’s favourite television event into lasting impact.
Inspired by the late Saoirse Ruane, whose courage and generosity touched the nation, the Appeal has raised an extraordinary €26 million since its launch in 2020, thanks to the generosity of people nationwide. These funds have supported hundreds of local and national charities in every county, transforming lives and creating opportunities for children who need it most.
Tonight on The Late Late Show, renowned Irish jockey Rachael Blackmore will launch the 2025 RTÉ Toy Show Appeal. She will highlight the Jack de Bromhead Equine Centre at ChildVision, a project close to her heart that is supported by the Appeal. Based in Drumcondra, Dublin, the Centre offers therapeutic equine activities that builds confidence, coordination, and emotional connection through the power of horses. Supported by the de Bromhead family and their friends, in memory of their son Jack de Bromhead, ChildVision developed the Centre which offers hope and healing while ensuring his legacy lives on.
And for the first time, RTÉ will broadcast Unwrapped: The Toy Show Appeal, a one-hour special airing on 30 November at 7.30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player. The programme will showcase the real impact of the public’s generosity, sharing powerful stories from children and families across Ireland. Viewers will meet Lucy Kelly in Cork, whose world has opened up through The Crann Centre; young cancer survivor Sophie Quirke from Tipperary, who enjoyed a magical day thanks to Oscar’s Kids; and the Ryan family finding comfort at Barretstown Bereavement Camp, along with others supported by Safe Haven Sailing, ChildVision, BUMBLEance, Fighting Words and My Canine Companion.
Kevin Bakhurst, Director-General, RTÉ, says: “As we mark the fifth year of the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal, it feels right to pause and reflect on what has been achieved. Five years ago, inspired by the courage and kindness of young Saoirse Ruane, we launched an appeal that has since grown beyond anything we could have imagined. What began as a single moment has evolved into something sustained and significant – with over €26 million raised, and more than a million children and families supported annually across every county on this island. The story of the appeal is, at its heart, the story of people at their best. In times of personal challenge – through a global pandemic, through cost-of-living pressures, through uncertainty – our viewers have consistently chosen to give. They have transformed their Friday night tradition of watching The Late Late Toy Show into something even more meaningful.”
Over the past five years, more than 650 grants have been provided to over 500 children’s charities across the island of Ireland. The appeal has raised over €26 million since its inception in 2020 and helps over 1 million children and their family members annually. The appeal is managed by Community Foundation Ireland, a registered charity (Charities Regulator Number: 20044886). Established in 2000, Community Foundation Ireland works with individuals, families, companies and other trusts and foundations to support a diverse range of over 5000 not-for-profit organisations across Ireland and is committed to the highest standards of trust and governance.
Donations can be made from tonight at 9.35pm at www.rte.ie/toyshowappeal or via the Appeal’s official donation partner, Revolut Pay.
ENDS