A TOY appeal launching today aims to ensure no child in Darlington wakes up on Christmas morning without a gift.

Through the Salvation Army’s annual toy appeal, the community has come together year after year to bring deprived youngsters and their families a touch of festive cheer.

Last year, 695 poverty-stricken children were helped as a result of the appeal, which sees donations of gifts and food distributed to families struggling to meet the costs of Christmas.

The number of people helped has consistently risen since the appeal was launched in Darlington in 2011, when 198 children received a present.

Darlington’s new Salvation Army ministers, Shirley and Marc McKenzie, are determined to meet the growing need.

For Mr McKenzie, who grew up in a children’s home, the appeal is particularly poignant.

He realises, perhaps more than many, the importance of giving a brand new gift to a child facing difficult circumstances and is urging people to ensure donations are new.

He said: “Receiving second hand toys did not add to our self-worth – we were left thinking we were only worth second hand gifts. It is important that children have self-worth and providing a child with a new toy will help with that and will give them hours of pleasure.”

Mrs McKenzie appealed to Darlington’s residents to show their support for the campaign once again, saying: “This is all about investing in the community and the appeal will make a real difference to families that are part of Darlington’s community.

“When it comes to celebrating Christmas, children are often at the heart of what a family does. It can be a very disappointing time for children to wake up on Christmas morning to nothing.

“This appeal helps children to understand love and to be able to support them with toys or gifts brings them the enjoyment of Christmas and that is a positive thing – to be part of it is a privilege.”

The Salvation Army Toy Appeal will run from now until Sunday, December 3, with gifts being distributed from December 19. Donations of non-perishable food and toys can be made at the Salvation Army Citadel on Thompson Street East, the Footprints shop on Skinnergate, at Sainsbury’s or at The Northern Echo.