Southport community are not forgotten this Christmas thanks to The Salvation Army present appeal.

A local church and charitable organisation is ensuring that no child in the town will wake up without a present this Christmas Day.

The Salvation Army’s church and community centre in Southport, located on Shakespeare Street, is encouraging the local community to add an extra toy to their shopping list this year so that families struggling to buy a gift for their children can make sure there is something for them to open on Christmas Day.

Captain Alison Hutchings, joint leader of The Salvation Army church and community centre in Southport said: “Christmas is a magical time but unfortunately not everyone can enjoy all that the season has to offer and we know that there are a lot of local people in need. Last year alone we gave gifts to over 250 children, helping to make Christmas special for more than 100 families.

“We believe that every child deserves a new gift at Christmas and so we are encouraging everyone to, if possible, please add an extra present to your shopping list this year. Your generosity will go a long way to making someone’s Christmas that bit brighter in even the darkest of times.”

People are invited to drop a new, unused and unwrapped toy for children and young people, aged 0 to 16 years old, to the collection point at the church and community centre on Shakespeare Street. The Salvation Army will then sort and distribute the gifts to children and families in the area through its own networks, local groups, and social services.