'ELF Baker' and his team of helpers spent a day donating £10,000 worth of toys and gifts to poorly children.

Didcot's favourite fundraiser Andy Baker donned his elf costume as he donated between 2,500 and 3,000 toys for children who will be at Oxford's Children Hospital over Christmas.

The former St Birinus pupil said the day had been an 'uplifting and emotional experience'.

The 28-year-old said: "The support I've received has just been amazing.

"It was really lovely to be able to bring a smile to those children's faces and at some points when we visited the babies I did get a bit emotional."

This is the second year Mr Baker has organised the Sleigh2Give campaign and said the response this year had been 'phenomenal'.

He added: "People have been so generous this year, I can't thank all the supporters enough.

"What is great is that these people had pledged to help again with the appeal next year.

"I hope it will be bigger and better than even this one."

As well as around 30 supporters and sponsors, Mr Baker had a helping hand on the day from the Oxford Harlequins, Go Green Taxis and Tesco Didcot.

Hannah Wilcock, marketing manager at Go Green Taxis, said they were honoured to help such a worth cause.

One of the company's drivers Gary Neal was so touched by the campaign that he insisted on helping deliver the gifts on Monday.

Miss Wilcock said: "We are very proud to sponsor such a heart warming cause.

"Staff and drivers were both very keen to get involved and we had an overwhelming response when we advertised for monetary and gift donations.

"It is so lovely to see so many local companies and people also get involved.

"We've told Andy we would love to not only be involved in next year's campaign but other fundraisers he will run in the future for the charity."

Mr Baker plans to recharge his batteries over the holidays ready to come back in January with lots of fundraising events to celebrate his charity, Play2Give and the children's hospital's 10th anniversary.

He added: "I would really like to raise £10,000 next year with Play2Give for the hospital on our anniversary.

"I think the fact we are helping poorly children, it always strikes a chord with people.

"Here's to 2017 for another bumper year packed full of fundraising to try and help with the parental accommodation at the hospital."

Sarah Vaccari from Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Charitable Funds said they were overwhelmed by the generosity.

She said: "We are incredibly grateful to all our friends at Play2Give for thinking of the Oxford Children's Hospital at this special time of year and to all the local individuals and businesses who have supported their collection of gifts.

"This certainly brought Christmas spirit to the Children's Hospital."

For more information visit: play2give.org.uk