About Second Chance Toys

In 2010 Cheryl Staddon launched Second Chance Toys in Sydney, a new community initiative to rescue and recycle gently used plastic toys by donating them to children in need.

Cheryl Staddon started this program when she saw many plastic toys in excellent condition being discarded on council clean-ups and also when trying to re-house her own children’s good quality plastic toys that were not being used.

“I hated the thought of these toys going to waste and once I researched who might like these toys, I was amazed by how many local organisations would be very happy to receive them”.

Toys are vital to a child’s development and help with creativity and imagination. It is often assumed all children have access to toys in Australia but the reality is very different.

Cheryl is passionate about protecting our environment and assisting others in the community particularly children and families that need some extra help.

The program began in the St George region of Sydney with collections organised through local schools, community groups and individuals. Second Chance Toys is now organising larger collections through corporate staff and community toy drives, increasing collections and deliveries to organisations and children across Sydney and beyond.

The very first toy donation of over 50 toys was to the Villawood Detention Centre, Residential Housing Unit that has set-up up a crèche for 0-5 year olds. The feedback from the Centre was extremely positive and since inception Second Chance Toys has donated to organisations throughout the South and South-West of Sydney to Supported Playgroups, Mobile Toy Libraries, Occasional Care Centres, Special Needs Schools and Family Support Service organisations.

Second Chance Toys was started in New Jersey USA in 2006 and is now a successful non-profit charity with affiliates in five other States in America. For more information about Second Chance Toys USA visit www.secondchancetoys.org