HOLMES Chapel estate agent Gascoigne Halman is inviting people to donate toys to put smiles on the faces of poor children at Christmas.

The estate agent is joining forces with The Lalley Toy Appeal again this Christmas.

The appeal, run by Dee and Chris Drake, provides a sack of toys at Christmas to children living in poverty.

It has been running since 2013, and to date has made Christmas Day very special for 11,000 children across the north west.

Steph Danford, sales manager of the Holmes Chapel branch of Gascoigne Halman said: “We are proud to announce we are a drop-off point again this year for the Lalley Toy Appeal.

“Since its launch six years ago the team smashes its target every year, and this year the aim is to provide toys to 5,000 under-privileged children.

“It’s a very humbling cause, especially when you see the number of gifts which get donated in the areas, and we are proud to be long-term supporters of this toy drive.”

Knutsford Guardian:

Branch sales manager Steph Danford

Dee and Chris Drake said: “We are so grateful to Gascoigne Halman for supporting our Toy Appeal again this year.

“For a variety of reasons, many of these children won’t enjoy Christmas in the traditional way, and we feel honoured to be able to provide them with positive memories of the festive season which they can treasure forever.

“We can only do this thanks to the support of our community, and together we can make Christmas magical for these amazing children.”

The Toy Appeal works with social workers, schools, women’s refuges, food banks and drop-in centres to identify families who need help to ensure their children receive something at Christmas.

To donate a toy the appeal accepts new, unwanted toys, stocking fillers, books, sports items, board games, teenager’s toiletries, teddy bears and puzzles, preferably not gift-wrapped.

They can be dropped in at Gascoigne Halman, 14 The Square, Holmes Chapel, until early December. For more information on the appeal visit thetoyappeal.com/