WARM-HEARTED Twemlow Green residents are appealing for the public’s help this winter to give toys to poverty stricken children.

Chris and Dee Drake, of Twemlow Lane, are working with The Lalley Centre in Manchester to run a Christmas toy appeal for children up to 17 years old living in some of the poorest areas in Manchester.

Last year, the couple, along with a large group of Knutsford volunteers, provided around 800 children with a sack of toys, each child receiving a main present, a selection box and stocking fillers.

Dee said: “The Lalley Centre works with schools and social workers to provide support to families in some of the most deprived areas of Manchester. The toy appeal allows parents to enjoy the magic of Christmas with their children and takes away the worry surrounding this expensive time of year.

“The parents are immensely grateful and humbled by the toys we provide and it takes a huge worry from them knowing that their child will receive something on Christmas Day, even if it isn't what they asked Santa for.

Chris and Dee’s toy appeal ensures that each toy sack goes to a specific named child with the aim of making Christmas even more special.

The appeal is now looking for donations of toys and gifts for boys and girls aged up to and including 17 years.

The couple are hoping to receive donations for the boys aged seven to 11, which is an age group that they have struggled with in the past.

Dee said: “We will gladly accept toy donations, stocking fillers, books, teddies, footballs, crayons, games and toiletries for teenagers, AAA batteries for toys, or cash donations so we can do a big shop to buy anything we are still short off before we sort and distribute the toys to the families in early December.”

There are a number of confirmed drop off locations including: Egerton Football club on Mereheath Lane, The Linen Loft, in Goostrey and Little Bigheads in Bramhall and Wilmslow, a full list of drop off points is available on the website at http://lalleytoyappeal.com/

For more information contact thelalleytoyappeal@gmail.com Like the Lalley Christmas Toy Appeal on Facebook or follow on Twitter @lalleytoyappeal

To donate visit Justgiving campaign.justgiving.com/charity/caritassalford/lalleytoyappeal