FIVE thousand underprivileged children in the north west are set to receive a sack full of toys on Christmas Day thanks to the magic of Santa and the Elves from the Toy Appeal.

Egerton Football Club in Knutsford is the site today, Monday, of frenetic activity, when as many as 500 volunteers will be working all day to pack 40,000 toys into age-appropriate sacks for each of the 5000 children.

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These will be delivered over the next three days by drivers in 22 vans to make 140 drops to ensure the sacks reach all 5,000 children in time for Christmas.

Chris and Dee Drake from Twemlow Green, who started the Toy Appeal in 2013, when they supported just 500 children, have been overwhelmed by the generosity shown by donors and volunteers for this year’s appeal.

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Dee said: “I can hardly believe that we have done it – that with the help of so many people we have met this year’s goal of making Christmas Day special for 5,000 children in need in our region.

“Our thanks go to all the schools, businesses, shops and cafes around Cheshire who have provided collection points, to all the people who have donated toys or money to the appeal, and to the teachers and social workers who have identified children in need.

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“We also thank the growing band of supporters who help the Toy Appeal to ensure that presents are delivered to children who would not otherwise receive anything at Christmas.

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“Each sack contains eight suitable gifts for each child, including books, sports equipment, a board game, a puzzle and a cuddly toy.

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“Toys worth a phenomenal £45,000 have been donated, and another £80,000 worth of presents have been bought from the proceeds of fundraising, donations and through our JustGiving site to provide the 40,000 presents required.”

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A large proportion of the funds are raised by fundraising events throughout the year, including a joint ball with Egerton FC at the Mere in March and a ball at the Radisson Blu Edwardian in

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To make a financial donation visit thetoyappeal.com/donate-here/

For more information email thetoyappeal@gmail.com

All pictures by Jonathan Farber

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