RETAILER ARGOS HAS joined teams with charity Enable Ireland to launch the Argos Toy Exchange with the aim of encouraging families to donate toys and raise money to support children and adults with disabilities.

From tomorrow, ‘donation stations’ will open in 40 Argos store and 21 Enable Ireland stores across the country, allowing members of the public to donate items including toys, textiles, household items, books and video games in exchange for a €5 voucher towards the cost of new toys (with a minimum €40 spend) to be redeemed at Argos by Christmas Eve.

Every item donated through the Toy Exchange will be passed on to Enable Ireland to be sold in its retail stores. Organisers vow that “every penny of profit” made in Enable Ireland retail stores will go directly into their work with children and adults with disabilities in Ireland.

Launching the initiative, broadcaster Lorraine Keane said: “This initiative allows you to not only bring a smile to your children’s faces this year, but many more who are supported by Enable Ireland services across Ireland. All we’re asking is for people to clear out their toy boxes and bring any unwanted toys into Argos, so they can donate them to a good cause.”

Andy McClelland, Argos Operations Manager said that Argos and Enable Ireland has a “common belief supporting families” and hoped the initiative would bring some happiness to disadvantaged children.

“We’re delighted to be working with Argos on The Toy Exchange campaign. Our 21 shops now help to support physical, educational and social services for over 4,200 children and adults with disabilities in Ireland. In the current climate it can be difficult to generate stock donations but we’re sure the public will really get behind this exciting campaign and donate lots of toys and games to support Enable Ireland,” said Ann Kelly, Retail Operations Manager at Enable Ireland.

To donate to the Argos Toy Exchange, visit your local Argos or Enable Ireland store from Wednesday 17 October 2012. Donations will be accepted at stores until Tuesday 27 November 2012.