CHARITIES and businesses are doing their bit to support children in families in need this Christmas.

The team at Haines Watts, an accountancy firm based in Swindon, have volunteered to turn their office reception area in Newport Street into a Covid-safe collection point for those who would like to donate toys.

Marketing and office manager for Haines Watts Anna-Marie Healy said the company has been supporting Swindon Christmas Toy Appeal for two years now.

“I was a bit worried this year with the impact of coronavirus and how we were going to manage it but fortunately our reception area in our building allows us to provide a safe drop off, where there’s no contact with people which brilliant,” she said

It has been challenging for the volunteers at the Toy Appeal to find collection points due to the ongoing pandemic.

Anna-Marie added: “I think for me personally growing up as a child, Christmas was always that one time of the year that brought all the family together, and the idea of a child not having their Christmas wish breaks my heart a little.

“And I feel as a community that we can help children escape coronavirus and escape the worries of the world and have a Christmas that is fun and full of smiles and laughter.”

Toy Appeal co-ordinator at Gateway Church Dawn Prosser said several schools across Swindon backed the campaign which run by several churches across the borough

She said: “Half of the secondary schools are all doing campaigns to get presents, for the toys appeal and I think we’ve got at least six or eight primary schools.

“We’ve got already 150 children who’ve been referred by agencies all around Swindon. Last year we did 350, but we think this year it’s going to be more like 450 children.”

The Salvation Army in Swindon is also calling on communities to donate new toys and food to its Christmas appeal.

The charity is expecting the number of people requesting support to be greater this year as many have lost their jobs or faced reduced income.

The appeal is being run jointly with Swindon Gorse Hill and Swindon Citadel community churches, as well as the Salvation Army charity shop attached to Gorse Hill.

People wishing to donate should call ahead to arrange a drop-off time due to the current restriction.

Salvation Army church leader Captain Theresa Torr aid: “Every year we ask people to donate new toys and gifts to our Christmas present appeal so we can distribute them to families whose children would otherwise not receive a gift.

"This year, we are expecting the number of families requesting help to rise as a result of the pandemic’s impact on already tight family budgets.

“Last year, we supported around 300 children with toys and over 100 families with food hampers. This year we have started receiving requests for support ahead of Christmas.”

For more information visit salvationarmy.org.uk/donate and gatewaychurchswindon.org.uk/toy-appeal/