Toys bring with them an explosion of excitement and joy at Christmas and we want to make sure no child in Cumbria wakes up to find no presents under the tree.

Today we are launching the News & Star Toy Appeal to help Santa deliver presents to all of the needy, disadvantaged and sick children in Cumbria.

Working in partnership with CFM radio, we are appealing to the generous people of the county to donate toys to fill up hopeful stockings.

By joining forces with the station's Cash for Kids charity, we can ensure that many of the neediest in our communities can share the joy of the festive season, whatever their circumstances.

This appeal does make a difference to peoples' lives. After Storm Desmond hit last December, the appeal was extended to flood victims.


This proved a timely comfort for the Brownlee-Chapman family, whose three-bedroom house on Victoria Road, Botcherby, was flooded on December 5 last year.

Looking back Craig Brownlee-Chapman said: “It was a really hard situation, we got flooded out, we lost everything, we weren’t insured. But they gave us toys for Nathan, my son, which was really sweet. It really helped us to make a Christmas for our kids.

“They didn’t have to help us but they did. It was a really hard situation, but it helped us a lot. It’s absolutely fantastic what they did.”

The generosity of Cumbrians last year ensured that around 7,500 children were given presents at Christmas.

Chris Story, associate editor of the News & Star, said: "No child should wake up with nothing to open on Christmas morning.

"This time of year is one of great joy for families, but it's expensive too and there are some out there who simply can't afford presents.

"With your help, we want to ease the stress for as many as possible.

"We know that News & Star readers are incredibly generous and hope as many as possible will make it a merry Christmas for those families who may otherwise miss seeing the magical look on faces of children when their presents arrive."

Toy drop off points

Carlisle area
Asda, St Nicholas Gate Retail Park, London Road, Carlisle
Cumbrian Newspapers Ltd, Newspaper House, Dalston Road, Carlisle
Grahams News, Kingstown Road, Kingstown, Carlisle
J. Balchin & Son, 4 Central Avenue, Carlisle
Julie Vevers 11-15 Swan Street, Longtown
Morrisons, Kingstown Road, Carlisle
Notmans Newsagents, 125 Newlaithes Avenue, Carlisle
Sainsburys, Bridge Street, Caldewgate, Carlisle
Tesco Superstore, Warwick Road, Carlisle

Cockermouth area
Sainsburys, Station Road, Cockermouth

Whitehaven area
Morrisons, Flatt Walks, Whitehaven
Tesco, North Shore Rd, Bransty Row, Whitehaven
The Whitehaven News Office, 148 Queen Street, Whitehaven

Workington area
Tesco, New Bridge Road, Workington
Times & Star Office, 21-27 Oxford Street, Workington
Morrisons, Derwent Drive, Workington

Stephanie Fleck, charity manager of CFM's Cash for Kids, added: “Last year’s appeal was a phenomenal success and we want to thank everyone who donated anything towards the campaign- they have helped to bring the magic of Christmas to so many young lives across the region.

"This year we have highlighted 7,172 children in need of our help and hope everyone in Cumbria will get behind the campaign once again to make it bigger and better than ever.”

The annual News & Star Christmas concert is also going to be fundraising for the Toy Appeal this year.

Although tickets are free for the community concert at the Sands Centre in Carlisle, it is hoped audience members will dig deep afterwards for the collection which will go towards the Toy Appeal.

The festive concert is now in its 45th year and is once again being organised by cnevents, in partnership with The Sands Centre operators GLL.

Jonathan Higgins, arts, entertainment and events manager at the Sands Centre, is producing the show.

He said: "It's always nice to produce a show in house. We think the News and Star concert for the community is one of the most special and important shows of the year because it's exactly what it says in the title, it's a concert for the community where tickets are free.

"We try and put together the best possible show for them using a variety of local and professional acts."

The concert is open to older members of our communities, the housebound, lonely or disabled.

For the first time this year, tickets will be available online only and they can be booked from today.

To get your tickets, visit www.cnevents.co.uk . Tickets are limited to two per person. For more information call 01228 612223.