A GROUP of kind-hearted friends have launched their own Christmas toy appeal for disadvantaged children in Tyldesley, Astley and Atherton.

They are Tyldesley couples Lisa, 35, and David Tootell, 36, of Hertford Drive, and Danielle, 32, and Stewart Hogg, 43, of Clondberry Close.

The community has 'pulled together' to help their Christmas mission and the team already have presents to hand out and a list of worthy recipients despite launching the toy appeal less than a week ago.

Lisa said: "For many years now my husband David and I have wanted to help children who won’t get many, if any, toys for Christmas.

"We finished our Christmas shopping last Thursday and decided that this year we would definitely action this."

After she put details of the appeal on Facebook, the group decided to ask schools and community centres in the area to nominate children, and they were happy to help.

Lisa said: "We put another message out on social media and asked if anyone would like to help or donate to this appeal.

"The response we had was overwhelming – within just a couple of hours we had more than 50 people offering to help, including Astley and Tyldesley Junior Football Club.

"The club offered to take part and donate.

"We also contacted social services, who put us in touch with the Start Well hub, which works with children in care.

"They said that they are happy for us to work alongside them as they also ask for donations for these children.

"We have now had more than 100 families offering to help and we started to receive the new toy donations within two days.

"We couldn’t be more proud of how the community has pulled together and made this possible and how many children will be receiving presents on Christmas Day.

"We will be going out with our families on Christmas Eve to deliver these presents."

The cut-off date for donations is December 20.

Donations can be left at Little Jak's Pantry or Tantrum's Kids and Baby Wear on Elliott Street, Tyldesley.