CHILDREN everywhere have begun the countdown to Christmas.

Lights are being switched on in towns across the south and sparkling adverts are showing off the latest must-have toys.

But thousands of youngsters in Hampshire will wake up on the morning of December 25 not expecting to see any presents to unwrap.

That’s why the Daily Echo has teamed up with Wave 105 to urge people to donate money or new toys to this year’s Mission Christmas appeal, which aims to give these youngsters a reason to smile on Christmas morning.

Last year more than 30,000 toys were collected for the appeal but to make sure every child in the south receives a gift this year, 54,000 donations are neeeded before December 14.

In order to collect enough toys, as many businesses, organisations, schools and individuals as possible are being asked to back the campaign and donate as many unwrapped gifts as they can before the cut-off date when a team of Santa’s helpers will get to work delivering them to children in time for Christmas.

Gifts can be dropped off at Sainsbury’s stores and Thomas Cook travel agents across the region before Sunday, December 14, when they will be collected by Pickfords removal firm and sorted.

Cash can also be donated so that even more toys can be bought for the appeal.

The appeal is led by the radio station’s Cash for Kids charity, which was set up in 2009 to support disadvantaged children across the region.

Charity manager Gloria Hill said: “This is the sixth year we’ve run our campaign and each year the support has been overwhelming.

“It is our hope to make this year the biggest ever.

“As the stats show there are many underprivileged children in our region so with Mission Christmas we hope to bring lots of smiles to local children.

“We couldn’t make this campaign happen without our amazing sponsors.”

Businesses, schools and organisations that wish to support the campaign can register their details online at wave105.com/charity/getinvolved/ register-for-mission-christmas.

To find a drop-off point to donate a toy visit wave105.com/charity/map.

You can donate cash by calling 01486 481050, by texting WAVE to 70070 to donate £5 or online at cashforkidsdashboard.co.uk/Southampton.