CHRISTMAS came early for the poorly youngsters at the Children's Hospital after sackfuls of generous toy donations.

The team at Tesco in Bicester and developers of the Bicester Village expansion Simons Group worked together to stump up £1,000 for the cause.

Thanks to the kind-hearted donation the partnership were able to provide a host of toys from rattles and bibs to electronic games consoles.

Seven-year-old Freddie Fletcher was over the moon to unwrap a few early Christmas presents, he said: "It's great getting presents in hospital because it makes me happy and gives me things to do."

The idea to help the Children's Hospital at the John Radcliffe came through a fundraising campaign organised by Oxford Railway Station customer ambassador Joe Johnston.

He said: "Back in October I visited Tesco Superstore in Bicester looking for assistance in a charity event I was planning in December to raise money to get children who would be in hospital over the Xmas period.

"I met with Celia Costa the Customer Experience manager at Tesco and they have agreed in partnership with Simons Group to donate £1,000 worth of toys."

Tesco and Simons Group have been working together over the past month to give something back to the community.

This included a £1,000 donation between The British Heart Foundation and Diabetes UK and £1,000 worth of food for the Bicester Foodbank.

Most recently the partnership has donated £500 worth of warm clothing, and sleeping bags to the Salvation Army in Bicester for the homeless.