Secret santas are being sought to help light up the faces of disadvantaged children this Christmas.
Worcester Foodbank has launched its annual Christmas Toy Appeal in a bid to make sure hundreds of children don’t wake up to an empty stocking on Christmas Day.
The charity is urging people to donate unwrapped new toys that can be used to bless boys and girls aged from 0 to 18, whose families are forced to turn to foodbank for emergency food over the festive period.
Toy Project Manager, Cary Taylor, said: “We cannot bear the thought of any child waking up on Christmas Day to an empty stomach and stocking.”
“Even the smallest gift will mean the world to a child that can only dream of enjoying the kind of celebrations many of us will experience. We’ve had a wonderful response to our appeal over the past two years and I know that the people of Worcester will help us to bless hundreds of children again.”
Two stores on the Shambles – The Entertainer and Argos – have thrown their support behind the appeal by setting up collection points where their customers can leave donations purchased in the shops.
The Entertainer also provided some foodbank volunteers with vouchers to spend on toys.
Supporters are being asked to spend no more than £15 on gifts, which can be dropped off at foodbank’s warehouse every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11am to 2pm.