Video: Thousands of donated gifts will make Christmas special for vulnerable families in Burnley

Those are the words from Burnley Together, who this year have taken on the task of organising the annual Christmas Toy Appeal.

Residents, schools and businesses across the borough have thrown their support behind the appeal and, to date, 850 children in 365 families will be waking up to new toys and presents on Christmas morning.

And appeal organisers expect that figure will top 1,000 as there is still two days to go before the appeal ends and gifts are continuing to flood in.

And yesterday Colne's Argos store boosted the appeal even further with a donation of £300 worth of toys.

A staggering 2,500 gifts have been donated and bought for the appeal this year as the community came together to help the hundreds of families who have been the hardest hit by the pandemic. From toys and games to kindles and gift sets, the generous donations mean children will receive three presents each from the appeal.

Launched 25 years ago by the Salvation Army and the Burnley Express, this year the appeal has been run by the Burnley Together partnership of Burnley Council, The Calico Group, Burnley Leisure, BFC in the Community and many more organisations all pulling together to make it a success.

And the appeal has been supported by people from across the UK who have sent cash, gifts and treats.

Burnley Express editor Chris Daggett has sent out a huge 'thank you' to everyone who has supported the appeal.

He said: "2020 has been a very difficult and challenging year but the good people of Burnley have come out in full force to support the Christmas Toy Appeal, as they always do.

If you would like to donate a gift to the appeal the final day to do this is tomorrow Friday (December 18th)

For more information about the appeal, including the locations of the 14 drop off points across Burnley, and how to make a donation, please click HERE