THE SPIRIT of Christmas is alive and well in Redditch after generous residents donated in the region of 500 toys to give to needy children.
As a result more than 230 youngsters across the borough have received brand new toys worth about £20 each as part of the Acts of Kindness Toy Appeal.
The children were chosen by organisations including Redditch Borough Council, the police and the Early Help service and deemed to be from families in need this festive season. Food hampers were also given out.
The appeal, backed by The Entertainer toy store in the Kingfisher Shopping Centre, is now in its third year and has seen demand increase by 40 per cent on 2013. Up to 50 volunteers have been involved in helping to wrap the presents and distribute them.
Rev Robin Baker, who runs the appeal, said: “The response from the public is always good. We have had a lot of people turn up with food and toys at the centres and one young couple in particular must have spent hundreds of pounds on toys.
“The people of Redditch have shown once again they are very generous and they care.”
Volunteers have helped wrap almost 500 presents which have been donated to children in need this Christmas. Picture by Ian Dipple (s)
