CHILDREN and families across Oxfordshire will enjoy a happier Christmas this year, thanks to The Salvation Army’s Christmas Present Appeal.

Over the last few weeks people have been donating toys and games for children.

Major Helen Wolstenholme of the SA in Oxford said: “Oxford Salvation Army has run toy and gift appeals for many years.

“For seven years it was called Pass the Parcel and was run in conjunction with ITV’s This Morning programme.

“This year we are going it alone and we desperately needed the public to come on board.”

Millions of children and young people have benefited from the gifts donated to The Salvation Army over many years.

This year in Oxford, the SA collected presents at St Michael at the Northgate, Cornmarket, Boswell’s toy department, Broad Street and Superdrug in Templars Square, Cowley. Donations can still be dropped off at the army’s headquarters in Wytham Street, Oxford, until next Saturday where volunteers are wrapping the gifts for needy children.

The Army is the UK’s largest provider of social services after the Government.

Major Wolstenholme added that many low income families have come to rely on the toys donated through The Salvation Army’s annual gift appeal.”