Boltonians can donate unwanted toys at local pubs as over two million children could go without presents this Christmas. 

As the festive season approaches, pub chain Hungry Horse are accepting toy donations to be distributed to children around the country. 

The chain runs The Red Lion in Over Hulton, The Parsonage in Leigh and The Paper Mill in Pilsworth, Bury, which will all serve as donation stations, alongside the 232 other Hungry Horse pubs. 

Now in its third year, the scheme, which saw more than 10,000 presents donated in 2022, is designed to provide gifts to those in need while helping parents declutter their homes by putting preloved toys to good use. 

It runs from now until December 18. 

This comes as new data, conducted by OnePoll, suggests that over two million children could go without a present this year, as more than half of UK parents worry about the cost of gifts. 

According to the data, nearly one in five UK parents (18%) know a child who won’t receive a present on 25 December this year, equating to an estimated 2.2m children in the UK. 

The chain has installed a four metre high, 450kg sack of presents in Manchester city centre to represent the millions of children who are facing the prospect of going without a gift this year. 

Popular TV personality and mum-of-two Charlotte Dawson has pledged her support for the campaign. 

She said: "As a mum, I know how much Christmas means to kids and how excited they get when it’s time to open their presents on the big day. 

"No child should have to go without that moment of joy.

“That’s why I wholeheartedly support Hungry Horse's 'Toy Boxing Day' scheme and its mission to ensure every child receives a gift this festive season. 

"If you want to make a difference this year, box up some pre-loved toys and get them to your local pub today."