THOSE wanting to spread a bit of extra Christmas cheer this year and help the less fortunate have until December 3 to donate to the Toys & Teens appeals.

For the past month generous Reading residents have been donating new or as new toys at one of the many drop off points across the town.

Once the donation stations close on Sunday, charity Reading Family Aid will start sorting the gifts into stocking sized packages to be delivered to hundreds of families in time for Christmas.

Each year the charity receives a wealth of positive feedback and thanks from the social workers and health visitors who are the link between the charity and the families in need.

Jenny Clarke, a family support worker at Christ The King Catholic Primary School, said: “I have just had my delivery of gifts and have had a look through the bags before I pass them on to parents. As ever, I am astounded by the generosity of the donations.

"These gifts are going to children, for whom very little else is going well in their lives at the moment. Thank you to you and your wonderful organisation for the wonderful work that you do."

Lara Finchen, a learning Mentor at Geoffrey Field Junior School, added: “I just wanted to say a huge thank you for the toys this year. The guys that delivered them were lovely and the presents are to such a high standard. The parents and children will be thrilled with them.”

Reading Family Aid extended thanks to everyone who has donated so far and urged those who are yet to donate to contribute a present.

Simply pop an extra toy in your shopping basket or dig out something your children have not played with that would make a suitable gift for a child this Christmas.

Public donation points: Sainsbury’s Superstore Calcot, Caversham Homecraft, Caversham Library, New Bridge Nursery, Mirror Mirror Hairdressers, Caversham Park Village, Crescent Centre, Maiden Erlegh Library, St Barnabas Church, Hillside Primary School, Lower Earley Library, The Club at Mapledurham, Southcote Children’s Centre, Southcote Library, Birch Copse Primary School, Co-op Tilehurst, Norcot Early Years Centre, Springfield Primary School, Tilehurst Library Civic Centre, Reading Central Library, Reading Farmers’ Market, Reading Voluntary Action, Sainsbury’s (Friar Street), Big Yellow Storage, Interserve Twyford, Battle Library, The Oakwood Centre, Willow Bank Junior School and Woodley Library.

Please visit www.readingfamilyaid.org/donations for more information.