EVERY child in the south will have a reason to smile this Christmas.

Today the Daily Echo can announce that we have hit our target of 54,000 toys for the Daily Echo backed Wave 105 Mission Christmas appeal - enough for every disadvantaged child in the region and smashing last year's total of 30,000 gifts.

Now, as more toys are yet to be counted, the radio station's Cash for Kids charity who are leading the appeal, are looking for more children's charities to get in touch and receive surplus toys and help even more children.

Additional charities who have already come forward to collect the extra toys include Fareham-based Two Saints, which helps the homeless, and special needs schools LWS Academy Trust in Sarisbury Green and Southampton Kids at Forest Park in Totton.

Throughout December, thousands of people across Hampshire dug deep and bought an extra gift for a needy child who may not otherwise receive any presents on December 25.

Now hundreds of volunteers have already got to work counting, logging and sorting the toys ready for charities to collect and give out to the children they support before Christmas Day.

The total number of toys received is not likely to be known until this weekend.

Gloria Hill, Cash for Kids charity manager, said: “We are all totally overwhelmed with the generosity that this campaign has achieved.”

Schools, shops, travel agents and gyms have all got behind the initiative including Everyone Active Fareham Leisure Centre whose staff gave up their Secret Santa gifts this year to donate more than 100 toys for the appeal.

The charity has also been given four fibreglass replica Monty the Penguin figures from its latest Christmas advert, currently on display in its shop windows, which are being sold on eBay to raise even more money for the appeal. The auctions will end between 10am and 10.30am on Saturday .

• Charities who would like any of the surplus toys should contact Cash for Kids on 01489 481082 or 01489 481100, email cashforkids@wave105.com or visit wave105.com/charity.

&bul; For information about the four Monty the Penguins, visit wave105.com.