By Sue Crawford

Last updated at 16:54, Thursday, 06 December 2012

There has been a staggering response to the News & Star Christmas Toy Appeal.

Kelly Barlow with some of the toys

With still one week to go donations are pouring in from big-hearted Cumbrians determined to make Christmas special for all children.

Generous businesses and individuals have stepped in with donations of gifts since we launched the appeal last month.

Collection points across north and west Cumbria have been set up so people can drop off much appreciated presents.

Our aim is to ensure that no child, no matter what his or her circumstances, will be without presents to unwrap on Christmas morning.

Staff at Cumbrian Newspapers are busy collecting donated new gifts from all our drop-off points, ready for delivery to Santa’s central grotto.

Kelly Barlow, promotions executive with Cumbrian Newspapers, said the response from the public to the appeal had been “overwhelming”.

She said: “We have been staggered by how generous people have been both businesses and individuals.

“One man came in yesterday with two brand-new children’s bikes one for a girl and one for a boy.

“We would like to thank those so far who have been so kind and to remind people that there is still another week to go.”

All we ask is that you buy an extra gift – more if you can – for a child aged between infancy and 18 – and drop it off, unwrapped, at a collection point where you see our poster. You can leave the rest to us.

The News & Star Toy Appeal is running in conjunction with Cash For Kids Mission Christmas. Along with CFM, we will ensure all gifts are wrapped and distributed to children who may not otherwise have a gift to open.

The deadline for donations to the News & Star Toy Appeal is December 15.

Once the deadline has closed the toys will be distributed according to age.

A full list of drop-off points can be found on our Christmas Toy Appeal web page.

First published at 16:52, Thursday, 06 December 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk