If the gift of giving fills your heart with joy, then dust off your Lego bricks and earn a special play present for a vulnerable child.
While for many families Christmas is a magical season filled with gifts and games galore, it will be a difficult time for others this year, especially for those with young children.
The LEGO Group is bringing back it’s Build To Give campaign and is offering the public the chance to join in and embrace the spirit of Santa.
It really is quite simple, build a heart shape out of Lego pieces, no matter how big or small, intricate or basic, post a picture of it on social media and in return a needy child somewhere in the world will receive a Lego set.
Back for the seventh year, the initiative was launched by presenter and author Katie Piper at London’s South Bank yesterday (Tues)
The scheme has already seen over 6.5 million sets donated to children globally and this year the group aims to spread the power of play to another 1.5 million children in hospitals, children’s homes or vulnerable communities here and across the world.
For every heart built and shared on social media or on Lego Life using the hashtag #BuildToGive before 31st December, the LEGO Group will donate a box of the much-loved building blocks to a child in need.
When it comes to giving a gift, size doesn’t matter. It’s the thought and bringing joy to others that counts. It’s a universal symbol of care, and people are challenged to build their very own special heart based on something that is personal for them and close to their own heart.
Ms Piper unveiled a 3D brick-built heart, calling on all kids, families and fans to join her in celebration of this year’s campaign and interact with the colourful, large heart that will be touring the UK for the first time this holiday season.
For those who want to get involved and no longer have any of their own Lego pieces, they can join the heart on its UK tour where there will be free building stations for well-wishers to create and post their own hearts.
The charity campaigner and TV star said: “It’s great to be part of Build To Give this year and see what it means to so many families and communities. One of the best gifts that you can give is play, particularly over the Holidays, and a little heart goes a long way.”
Isabel Graham at the LEGO Group said: “This is the first time we have toured the UK with our #BuildToGive initiative and we’re grateful that we can turn creativity and play into a moment of giving. With hearts being recognised across many cultures as a symbol of love, joy and positivity, we can’t wait to see all the different creations and encourage as many to be built as possible!
In addition to this Christmas campaign, the LEGO Group works all year round with a range of charity partners and the LEGO Foundation to bring play to children in need in communities around the world. These programs provide children with opportunities to develop life-long skills such as problem solving, collaboration and communication that boosts their wellbeing and help them succeed in a fast-paced world.
The #BuildToGive initiative is part of the LEGO Group’s broader Play is Your Superpower campaign which aims to inspire families to reprioritize playtime.
For more information on how to get involved with this year’s Build To Give initiative visit: https://www.lego.com/en-gb/build-to-give
The gift of giving will continue its UK tour at the following locations:
Glasgow
– 18th & 19th November
– Glasgow’s Argyle Street
– Timings: 10am-7pm
Cardiff
– 23rd & 24th November
– Cardiff’s St David’s Library Square
– Timings: 11am-8pm
Price: Its Free!
