A CHARITY campaign to fill the stockings of those less fortunate across the town has inspired great swathes of generosity from Reading residents as it enters its third week.

The Toys and Teens appeal is the brain child of charity Reading Family Aid and works to convert seasonal goodwill into tangible, present sized result.

Last year more than 1,500 children of less stable economic backgrounds benefited from the scheme, which sees donations points set up across Reading where happy shoppers can gift unwanted toys.

Those toys are then collected by an army of volunteer drivers who deliver them to the charity's central hub.

In years gone by finding enough people to process and pack the Lego mountains and Subbuteo lakes that form has been a struggle, but this year, a full seven weeks out from Christmas, Reading Family Aid has had to stop accepting volunteer applications due to overwhelming demand.

Now the charity is focusing its attention on ensuring that enough gifts and money is donated and more toy collections are organised so Reading's rapidly growing population of children are as happy as possible come December 25.

On Friday, November 28 five Reading Family Aid workers ran a stall at the RVA Volunteer Fair in Broad Street to push the initiative.

“The fair had a lovely, family friendly atmosphere,” said Ruth Perkins, vice chairman of Reading Family Aid.

“It was fantastic to meet so many new faces and talk about the work we do to support local families.

“It was really good to be able to spread to word about our Toys and Teens appeal, especially to raise awareness of how members of the public can support us by donating toys, organising a toy collection at work, school or church or donating funds.”

To see how you can help out, go to www.readingfamilyaid.org