PEOPLE are being encouraged to snap selfies to support Southampton's annual Christmas toy appeal.

GO! Southampton and Ikea are teaming up to support the Southampton City Council's 35th festive charity drive.

Now Ikea has said for every selfie submitted as part of the campaign, the store will donate a gift to the Southampton Toy Appeal. It's hoped this will see 1,000 gifts donated.

Whether with friends, family, or going solo, individuals are encouraged to visit designated Christmas cuddle benches or mistletoe spots for their selfies.

Flo Bevis, GO! Southampton’s marketing manager, said: "We're really pleased to launch this campaign and work with IKEA to spread some festive cheer to the vulnerable children and young people in Southampton who need it most.”

The cuddle benches can be found out and about while doing your Christmas shopping in the following locations:

  • In Westquay on the South Upper Terrace
  • On Carlton Place in the pedestrianised zone
  • The festive mistletoe in Ikea on level 4, opposite the customer lift and restaurant.

Residents are being asked to share their selfies on Instagram using the hashtag #1000kisses while tagging Visit Southampton @visit_soton.

The posted photos will then be shared on Visit Southampton's Instagram stories. For every photo, IKEA Southampton will donate a gift to the Toy Appeal.

Chloe Davies, commercial activities manager at Ikea Southampton said: “In Sweden, we say ‘Tilsammans’ - this means togetherness, and what a way of bringing our local community together, to share in some fun and creating happy memories to take forward. 

“We are super excited and proud to be a part of this festive campaign because it embodies everything we see in our values – to create a better everyday life for the many people.”

Southampton City Council's 35th Christmas toy appeal calls on the community, businesses, and charities to donate new toys for children aged 0-18.

Recognising the increased need amidst the cost-of-living crisis, the appeal extends its support to children and families assisted by other council services.

Councillor Alex Winning, cabinet member for children and learning, said: “This is such a fantastic way for people to get involved in supporting the Southampton toy appeal and we thank Go Southampton and IKEA for their support.”