A RECYCLING company that has been in Bolton since the 1960s has donated to our toy appeal.

Toughsheet, based in Westhoughton, has given £1,000 to the appeal, despite facing many challenges along with other businesses during the coroanavirus pandemic.

Managing director Douglas Mercer said the company had lost around £600,000 due to the effects of the pandemic, but that they still consider it important to donate to good causes such as the toy appeal.

The company also regularly donates Christmas trees to the Royal Bolton Hospital and Bolton Hospice.

Mr Mercer said: “We always just try and do the best that we can to help out around this time.

“It’s very much important to us, especially with what’s going on at the moment.

“We just want to bring some cheer to everybody that we can and put a smile on some kids' faces.

“If we can get one child happy and smiling because of this then we’ve done a good thing.

“Anything locally that we can do isn’t going to hurt the company but makes such an important positive impact for others.

“We built up some funds last year thinking of expansion so we’re still doing okay this year. We’re putting that expansion on hold so that we can ensure everybody at the company isn’t worrying about their jobs. They are the heart of the business.”