Shropshire Star Toy Appeal to bring festive cheer again

It's the time of year when our big-hearted readers enable us to spread a little Christmas joy around the county, ensuring children in difficult circumstances get the Christmas they deserve.

Once more we are asking the people of Shropshire and Mid Wales to donate presents which will be shared out among youngsters struggling with illnesses, disabilities, or who simply deserve a gift because of their work helping others.

Since the appeal was launched in 2015, we have distributed more than 2,500 Christmas gifts to youngsters in and around the county.

This year, we are supporting five good causes:

• Telford & Wrekin Young Carers

• Hope House Children's Hospice

• The Movement Centre in Gobowen

• The Harry Johnson Trust

• The children's unit at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust

Telford & Wrekin Young Carers provides support to youngsters aged five to 18 who care for a loved one, while Hope House, based in Morda, provides care for about 300 children with life-limiting illnesses.

The Harry Johnson Trust was set up on memory of Shrewsbury schoolboy Harry who died aged seven in 2014, after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. The charity provides help for children being treated at the cancer ward at Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, and also provides help for their families.

The Movement Centre, based at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt hospital in Gobowen, provides life changing therapies for children with cerebral palsy and other conditions which affect movement.

People can donate brand new toys, games and gifts at the Shropshire Star's offices in Telford and Oswestry, and at Storage King's headquarters in Shrewsbury.

Shropshire Star editor Martin Wright said he hoped this year's campaign would be every bit as successful as it had been in previous years.

"We're delighted to be working with Storage King once again to bring a little joy to children who might be finding Christmas a difficult time," he said.

"Over the years the appeal has made an important difference to hundreds of children in the region.

"This is all down to the generosity of our readers, and we are immensely grateful for the support the appeal has attracted right from the beginning."

Chloe Edmunds of Storage King said: "The toy appeal has been a huge success since it started in 2015, and we're delighted to be involved once more.

"As a company, we believe it is important to give something back to the community in which we operate, and it is wonderful to be able to help in this way."

Our collection points are at:

• Shropshire Star, Ketley Business Park, Waterloo Road, Telford TF1 5DT

• Shropshire Star, 14 Salop Rd, Oswestry SY11 2NU

• Storage King, Archers Way, Battlefield Enterprise Park, Shrewsbury SY1 3GA