THOUSANDS of toys are going to be sent straight to some of the poorest youngsters in Southampton to give them a reason to smile this Christmas.

Daily Echo columnist and TV presenter Fred Dinenage, the cast of the Nuffield Theatre’s Christmas show Treasure Island and youngsters from Foundry Lane Primary School all helped launch the city-wide Christmas toy appeal.

But although Southampton Voluntary Services (SVS) Toy Appeal, now in its 33rd year, has so far received 2,400 presents from people across the south, it still needs 600 more presents to make sure that all the city’s vulnerable children have at least one present to look forward to this Christmas.

All you need to do is request a gift tag which will have the first name, age and sex of one of Southampton’s 3,000 children in need.

Then buy a suitable gift to the value of £10, gift wrap it and send it to the SVS office in Kingsland Square, St Mary Street, by this Friday. They will then be distributed just in time for Christmas Day.

To help, call Jacqui Honeywell as soon as possible on 023 8021 6041.