Toy stories

How volunteers help families keep Christmas Day magical

- NATASHA WYNARCZYK

No parent wants to tell their child that Santa won't visit this year. But it's a shocking reality for far too many.

Research released by the charity Family Action earlier this month showed one in seven parents would be unable to give their kids a single Christmas present this year.

However, toy banks and hordes of volunteers have stepped in, doing their utmost to prevent as much disappointment as possible.

One such team works at the Salvation Army's Oldham Fitton Hill Church, Greater Manchester.

They have spent a month packing up thousands of donated toys.

So far these boxes of gifts have been given to 310 local families. But just two days before Christmas Day, referrals to the service are still coming in.

Kim Rogers, a community engagement coordinator for the Salvation Army, says the Oldham toy bank has had record demand in 2023.

She said: "There's at least 100 more families who have been in touch with us this year compared to last.

Kim has worked on the Christmas Present Appeal for 10 years. Still packing gift boxes as she spoke to the Mirror, she added: "Every time I've looked at my emails there's been more referrals eight today already.

"This year I'm seeing a lot of working families who are struggling to get by, new people we have never interacted with before. A lot more households are living hand to mouth.