The Sun to spread #SmilesAtChristmas with cash, toys and teddies 
• Campaign calling on readers and the nation to get behind the donation drive
• Partnering with leading community retailer McColl’s and ToysRUs
• Simon Cowell and Claudia Winkleman pledge support
The Sun today launches its 2016 Christmas campaign with the aim of putting a smile on as many children’s faces as possible this year.

The Smiles at Christmas campaign runs until the end of December 2016 and is calling on the renowned generosity of The Sun readers to meet the challenge by donating toys and teddies (new or in good condition) to benefit four incredible charities who work closely children at home and abroad. We will also be asking for cash donations which will be split equally between the charities.

The four charities that will be supported this year are:
• Scotty’s Little Soldiers: for children who will be spending Christmas without a parent because they gave their lives while serving in the armed forces
• AMAR: helping those children forced to flee Mosul after being terrorised by ISIS, leaving all of their possessions behind
• Children with Cancer UK: the leading national children's charity dedicated to the fight against childhood cancer
• Women’s Aid: supporting children who have been forced to leave home to escape domestic abuse
Tony Gallagher, editor-in-chief of The Sun, said: “Sun readers never fail to amaze me with their generosity towards those in need. This Christmas we want to bring a smile to the faces of children affected by war, disease and family troubles, so please dig a little deeper and make sure 2017 is the start of something special for these kids."

McColl’s Chief Executive Jonathan Miller said:“McColl's has a long history of supporting charities for children and young people, In recent years, we have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for organisations leading research into sudden cardiac death for young adults. Now we are proud to support The Sun and its #SmilesAtChristmas appeal. Our colleagues will be on hand from early in the morning to late in the evening every day from now until December 9 helping Sun readers donate as many toys as possible.

“McColl’s is present in over a thousand neighbourhoods across the UK and in every one of our stores we see how important Christmas is to so many of our customers, their families and the local community. The generosity of The Sun readers is well known and we stand by ready to help ensure that your kindness leads to thousands more children smiling this Christmas."

As Britain’s most read newspaper with over 4 million readers every day, The Sun readers have always been incredibly generous with Sun campaigns. We saw thousands of knitted hats and blankets pour into The Sun HQ when we asked readers to knit for Nepal, and the Aid For Aleppo campaign launched in memory of Syrian toddler Aylan Kurdi, raised more than £1million in five days.

With high profile celebrities on board, messages from Simon Cowell, Honey G, Claudia Winkleman, Ant Middleton and Judge Rinder can be found on The Sun website and on a dedicated Facebook page here. Throughout the campaign there will be features on each of the charities so follow the action online and in print.

How to donate: 
McColl's*: 
Partnering this year with McColl’s, the convenience retailer, readers will be able to head to one of its 1,300 convenience stores and newsagents across the UK to drop off their toy donations. Shop staff will keep gifts safe and send them to The Sun for distribution.

ToysRUs*:
Generous gifters will also be able to donate a new toy at any branch of ToysRUs, leaving them in a dedicated The Sun-branded trolley at the checkout.

Cash:
• Go to www.thesun.co.uk/smilesatchristmas
• Text KIDS55 plus a donation sum (£2, £3, £4, £5 or £10) to 70070
• Write a cheque to ‘JustGiving Foundation’ and post to JustGiving, Finance Department - The Sun Appeal, Bluefin Building 2nd Floor, London, SE1 0TA
*You can donate toys until Friday, 9 December