Help fill a boat with Christmas magic: Coastal Cruises Poole launches Santa’s Harbour of Hope

Coastal Cruises Poole is calling on residents, businesses and visitors to help fill a boat with Christmas presents through Santa’s Harbour of Hope, a community appeal supporting Amelia’s Rainbow, Ashley’s Birthday Bank and MYTIME Young Carers.

The message is simple: when shopping for Christmas, buy one extra gift for a local child or young person who needs a little extra kindness this festive season.

Donations of new, unused and unwrapped gifts will be collected until Sunday 6 December 2026, helping turn the generosity of the local community into a boat full of Christmas magic.

The appeal welcomes gifts for all ages, from babies and toddlers through to teenagers. Suggested donations include toys, games, LEGO, sensory gifts, cosy blankets, gifts for teenagers and gift vouchers.

Carol Scott, Managing Director of Coastal Cruises Poole, said:

“Santa’s Harbour of Hope is about bringing our community together to make Christmas a little brighter for local children and young people.

“If you’re able to buy one extra present while doing your Christmas shopping, that small act of kindness can become part of something really special. We would love to see families, businesses and community groups joining together to help us fill the boat with Christmas magic.”

Gifts can be dropped off at:

Coastal Cruises office, Cobbs Quay Marina, BH15 4EL — with free parking for drop-offs. (turn left through barrier and next to powerboat training UK)

The Coastal Cruises Blue Kiosk, The Quay, Poole, BH15 1HJ.

Aboard Solent Scene, Island Scene or Fortuna on Poole Quay.

Local businesses are also invited to get involved by organising staff collections, donating gifts or helping spread the word to customers and colleagues.

Coastal Cruises Poole will collect and sort donations before handing them to the three partner charities, which will arrange distribution to the children and families they support, sensitively and confidentially.

Whether it is one present from a family or a collection from an entire workplace, every gift will help bring the appeal closer to its goal: a boat filled with kindness, generosity and hope.

One harbour. One community. A boat full of hope.