SOME of the south’s most popular radio presenters have got behind a drive to make sure every child gets a present this Christmas.

Steve Power and Simon Clarke broadcast live from Sainsbury’s in Hedge End as part of the Daily Echo-backed Wave 105 Mission Christmas appeal.

The Wave 105 presenters urged shoppers to buy an extra gift for one of the south’s 54,000 needy children who would otherwise find no presents under the tree this year.

During Steve’s show, 400 toys were donated at the store, while Simon saw people donate another 1,000 toys.

The appeal, led by the radio station’s Cash for Kids charity, aims to collect enough unwrapped gifts before December 14 to ensure every child in the south receives a present this Christmas.

Toys can be delivered to Sainsbury’s stores and Thomas Cook travel agents across the south before the cut-off date.

A team of Santa’s helpers will then travel the region collecting the gifts, ready to deliver them to children in time for the big day.

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

Over the coming week presenters will be visiting other Sainsbury’s stores across the south. Tomorrow Mark Collins will be broadcasting from Sainsbury’s Farlington from 9am-1pm, on Friday Rick Jackson will broadcast his show from Sainsbury’s Newport on the Isle of Wight from 4pm to 8pm, and on December 10 he will be joined by BBC The Voice winner Jermain Jackman at the new Sainsbury’s store in Waterlooville.

Steve said: “The response we have been getting from our listeners has been incredible, organisations and individuals are really getting into the spirit of it.

“Thousands of toys have been donated already but we still need more people to get involved to reach our goal of 54,000 toys. I would really like to thank everyone who has donated the toys, which are going to be delivered to disadvantaged children to brighten their Christmas.”