THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised today as Southampton rallies together and shows its Christmas spirit to help sick children after heartless thieves stole a Playstation from a children's ward.

Donations have been flooding, with over £2,000 in cash and numerous games consoles being donated to the Children's Hospital at Southampton General Hospital.

Tonight, local bands will rock a Southampton venue to raise thousands of pounds for sick youngsters in the city's hospital.

The Talking Heads will host the Voice FM Christmas Charity Show later today.

The gig, starting at 5pm, will also feature a raffle, tombola and other entertainment and be a chance to raise money for the children who will be spending Christmas at Southampton General Hospital.

The free show will feature acts such as Three Times Over, New Device, R3D, Brink Theory, Tracerban, The Bayonettes, Sierra POLAR, Insomnia, Thudpukkers, Catherine Elliott and Red.

There will also be face-painting and other entertainment for youngsters, and raffle prizes including family skating ticket for Planet Ice, vouchers for a wide variety of restaurants, jewellery, cash vouchers and even an MP3 teddy.

As reported by the Daily Echo today, the children's ward was targeted by thieves who stole a new Playstation 3 meant for youngsters in the ward to use.

Meanwhile, a JustGiving page has been set by up Amy Lewis from the Hythe and Waterside Elves, to raise cash to buy a replacement console for the children, which has over £1300 so far.

Another JustingGiving page set up by the Southampton Hospital Charity has also generated over £1,500.

MNL Builders say they will donate a Playstation 3 and games to the ward tonight, and CEX in the Marlands in Southampton have pledged a host of games a goodies, too.

Paul Burden has posted a picture of him donating a Playstation 4 and some games to the ward and the Four Horseshoes pub in Southampton has already dropped off an XBox One with some games.

The Montort Missionaries at St Joseph's in Ashurst has also donated a number of toys.

Mike Lyons has donated a PS3 with some games, as well as chocolates for staff on the ward, too.

Nine-year-old Alex Hammond, from Portsmouth, has pledged his PS3 and will hand it over with mum Emma later today.

Emma told the Daily Echo: “Alex said he doesn't need it, so the children at the hospital can have it. He's a kind boy and it's good they will have something now."

Clair Roberts has raised over £350 on her Just Giving page for the ward.

Twenty-five-year-old Ashley Rafferty, a personal bank account manager from Eastleigh, bought a brand new PS4 in his lunchbreak today and will hand it over later

Thirty-year-old Ashley James, a carpenter from Woolston, has been collecting unwanted games, consoles and DVDs to give to the children’s ward.

Mike and Clair Brading, from Sholing, have gathered up a horde of toys to donate, including some Christmas presents given up by their four children.

Their nine-month-old son Charlie, who has spina bifida, has had regular treatment at the children's ward and 29-year-old Mike said: “It means a lot to us.”

NetPay Merchant Services, Mott McDonald have raised £240 which they have used to buy a selection of toys including a PS3 and games. Asda Eastleigh kindly matched the donation they now have nearly £500’s worth of toys for the ward which are being delivered tomorrow.

Hampshire businesses The Nobacconists and Nerd Herd are donating a PS3, a Nintendo DS and games for both and have asked customers to bring in any more donations.

• Do you know of someone who has been donating to the ward following the break-in? Get in touch with us by emailing dan.kerins@dailyecho.co.uk or tweet to @dailyecho. If you'd like to contact the hospital charity directly, call 023 8120 5221.