Van Packed with Stolen Toys Donated to Sick Kids
A van bursting with unclaimed and stolen toys has been transformed into a Christmas miracle at Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre Children’s Unit.
The haul included brand-new games, scooters, arts and crafts kits, and dolls – all gathering dust for months, even years, after being seized by police. Instead of wasting away in storage, these scrapped gifts were cleaned, disinfected, and delivered to brighten the festive season for children stuck in hospital.
From Police Seizure to Christmas Cheer
These toys came into police hands thanks to raids, shoplifting arrests, and finds from the public. After investigations wrapped up with no one claiming ownership, the stash sat untouched in the force’s archive stores.
Kicking off the initiative, Kev Vowles and the Historic Exhibit Review Team gathered the unclaimed toys and loaded them into a van. On 14 December, they handed the gifts over to the hospital’s children’s ward, where staff wrapped them up and prepared stockings for each child.
Spreading Smiles and Clearing Storage
“No child should go without this Christmas,” Kev said. “If we can help bring a smile to their faces, we will. It’s also great to clear out room at the station while doing good.”
The police frequently donate unclaimed clothing, electronics, and toys to charities across Nottinghamshire, making sure nothing goes to waste.
“If it helps sick kids enjoy Christmas and puts smiles on their faces, then me and my team go home happy,” Kev added.
