THE council is calling on residents to make Christmas extra special for disadvantaged children by donating to its gift appeal.

The People Service department at St Helens Council has been running the appeal for several years, which provides gifts for children up to the age of 18 who would not otherwise receive Christmas presents.

Items such as rattles, teething rings, books, toys, toiletries and clothing are all welcome but due to health and safety reasons, soft toys cannot be accepted and it is asked that gifts are not wrapped.St Helens Council’s People’s Service department is calling on kind-hearted residents to help make a disadvantaged child’s Christmas special by donating to its gift appeal.

St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Developing Children, Councillor Joe Pearson said: “Our annual gift appeal has been a huge success since it first launched in 2010, with tens of thousands of items donated by kind-hearted residents, businesses, and organisations.

"But sadly, the truth is that there are still many children and young people in the borough who are at risk of waking up on Christmas day without a single gift, so I’d encourage anyone who can to do what they can to bring some much needed joy into these youngsters lives at what should be the happiest time of the year.”

Last year also saw a shortage of gifts for boys aged seven to 12 years so particular focus is set on donations for that age group.

Collection Points have been set up in various town centre locations including: St Helens Town Hall; Atlas House; Wesley House; St Helens Libraries; Central Link Children’s Centre, Westfield Street.

Donations can also be made at: Parr Children’s Centre, Ashtons Green Drive; Fourways Children’s Centre, Burnage Avenue; Thatto Heath Children’s Centre, Brisbane Street; Sutton Children’s Centre, Ellamsbridge Road; Newton Children’s Centre, Patterson Street.

The deadline for donations is Monday, December 17, 2018.

For more information, contact Tracy Sexton by calling 01744 676563.