THOUSANDS of children from deprived backgrounds woke up to presents on Christmas morning thanks to an amazing response to our toy appeal.

Nearly 4,000 toys have been donated – the largest number since the annual appeal was launched three years ago.

The toys were distributed through a number of leading local charities to youngsters suffering from illness or disability or who come from disadvantaged families.

Paul Fahey, of BiG Storage the Handforth-based company which organised the appeal and stored the donated gifts, said: "This year we have completely smashed the record having had several thousand gifts donated. There should have been a lot of extremely happy kids out there on Christmas Day, made so by the public’s generosity.

"Every year we seem to receive more gifts than the previous year which is fantastic and particularly important as we are collecting for more children.

"We are delighted to play a part in the toy appeal and its been wonderful for our staff to watch the pile of collected toys growing week by week as we have got closer to Christmas. The appeal has received a tremendous backing since it was launched last month. Stars such as Noddy Holder, Bez from the Happy Mondays, Emmerdale’s Chris Bisson and members of the Sale Sharks all threw their support behind the project.

The recipient charities have included the Children’s Adventure Farm Trust which provides holidays and activities for terminally ill, chronically sick, disabled and disadvantaged children and Henshaws Society for the Blind.

Toys also went to The David Lewis Centre, well known in the area for offering a range of medical, educational, residential and assessment services for children with complex epilepsy and other neurological conditions, including learning disability and challenging behaviour.

The Stockport Early Intervention and Family Support Centre and the Macclesfield based Ash Grove, Broken Cross and Hurdsfield Children’s Centres also received toys as did the Together Trust, based in Cheadle.

It runs a range of services including special education and social care services for disadvantaged and disabled young people across the North West but particularly centered around Cheshire and Greater Manchester.

If any of our readers still have a gift that they haven’t brought in, please feel to drop it at BiG Storage, who will ensure that it gets passed on to one of the charities.

BiG Storage at Handforth Dean, the driving force behind the Toy Appeal has been the main drop off point for the donated toys. If you still have a gift that you want to donate then please do so by bringing it to BiG Storage on Earl Road, Stanley Green Industrial Estate, Handforth Dean SK8 6PT (Just off the A34 near M&S) - just look for the BiG Storage sign. Or visit www.bigstorage.info for a location map. Please ring 0161 486 6000 for Christmas opening times.

Alternatively if you live closer to Macclesfield, any late donations can be dropped off at BiG Storage, Fence Avenue, Macclesfield (400 yds from Arighi Bianchis). Please ask for Garry, Paul or Kevin or ring them on 01625 437100 for Christmas opening times.