THE FREEMASONS of Berkshire have thrown their weight behind a campaign to give gifts to the less fortunate children of Reading for a second year in a row.

The Toys and Teens appeal is a campaign run by Reading Family Aid that aims to fill the stockings and of those less economically stable across the town.

Last year they helped 1,500 young people have a very merry Christmas, and this year, with the help of Berkshire's 96 Freemason lodges, they are hoping to do even better.

Brother Mark Heppelthwaite, provincial grand director of ceremonies, spurned the 3,000 Berkshire based Freemasons into action after hearing about the appeal.

“Last year we asked all of our lodges if they could donate money to spend on Christmas presents for under privileged children,” he explained.

“We raised more than £2,000 which we spent on specific gifts Reading Family Aid told us 30 children had requested.

“Thanks to Toys “R” Us who gave us a discount, we were able to buy hundreds of presents.”

Mr Heppelthwaite went to the shop with his son, who offered to donate some of his own toys to the cause, and bought a huge range of items, including games, teddies, a boxing bag and a scooter.

One of the requested items hit a particular nerve for the Freemason.

“One child requested a hairbrush,” Mr Hepplethwaite said.

“It really hit home. When you see someone is requesting something like that, it really makes you wonder what is going on.”

This year the Freemasons are Berkshire are mobilising again and hope to beat last year's total.

Donation points for presents and drop off times are listed below: All Saints Junior School, Brownlow Road. Monday to Friday 9am to 10.30am Battle Library, Oxford Road. Monday, Thursday and Friday 9am to 5pm, Tuesday 9am to 7pm and Saturday 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm.

Big Yellow Storage, Rose Kiln Lane. Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 6pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm.

Birch Copse Primary School, Wittenham Avenue. Monday to Friday 9.15am to 2.45pm.

Caversham Homecraft, Church Road. Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm.

Caversham Library, Church Road. Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9am to 5pm, Tuesday and Thursday 9am to 7pm and Saturday 9.30am to 4pm.

Civic Centre, Bridge Street. Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

Crescent Centre, Warbler Drive. Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 8pm, Friday 8.30am to 4pm and Saturday 8.30am to 11.30am.

Interserve, Ruscombe Park. Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm.

JACK FM Berkshire, Radio House. Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm.

Lower Earley Library, Chalfont Close. Monday and Friday 9.30am to 5pm, Tuesday and Thursday 9.30am to 7pm, Friday 9.30am to 5pm and Saturday 9.30am to 1pm.

New Bridge Nursery, Montague Street. Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.

Southcote Library, Southcote Lane. Tuesday and Thursday 9am to 7pm, Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm.

The Oakwood Centre, Headley Road. Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm.

Woodley Library, Headley Road. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am to 5pm, Thursday 9am to 7pm, Saturday 9.30am to 4pm and Sunday 10.30am to 4pm.

Co-Op Tilehurst, School Road. Monday to Saturday 7am to 10pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm.

Hillside Primary School, Rushey Way. Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.

Ikon Hair, Wokingham Road. Tuesday 10am to 7pm, Wednesday 9.30am to 1.30pm, Thursday 10am to 6pm, Friday 9am to 7pm and Saturday 8.30am to 4.30pm.

Co-Op Food, School Green. Monday to Sunday 6am to 11pm.

Reading Voluntary Action, Abbey Square. Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm.

The Fox and Hounds, City Road. Monday to Sunday 11.30am to 11.30pm.

Southcote Children's Centre, Coronation Square. Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm and Friday 9am to 4.30pm.

St Barnabas Parish Centre, Grove Road. Tuesday to Thursday 8.30am to 11am and Sunday 9.30am to 11am.

The Club at Mapledurham, Chazey Heath. Monday to Friday 6.30am to 10pm and Saturday and Sunday 7am to 7pm.

Sainsbury's Superstore, Bath Road. Monday to Friday 7am to 11pm, Saturday 6am to 10pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm.