Gift appeal for the city's kids

The campaign video, voiced over by Jason Manford, is available to download and share via drive.google.com/open.

Shocking figures reveal that one in four children across South Yorkshire are living in poverty and the Christmas gift appeal hosted by Hallam FM’s Cash for Kids charity has had a heart-warming response by the public.

After launching on Hallam FM on November 12, a whopping 300 drop-off points have signed up to collect toys and gifts for the charity to give to children at risk of not getting a visit from Santa this year and 400 volunteers have signed up to help sort through donations.

A launch event held at the brand new Cutlery Works at Neepsend was attended by over 250 guests who have rallied their businesses and networks to support the appeal to make sure no child in South Yorkshire misses out this Christmas.

B&M Stores, Harron Homes and Atkinsons Department Store on The Moor are amongst those drop off points with all registered places featured on an online map where you can enter your postcode to find your nearest location.

Last year, Cash for Kids collected enough gifts to help over 25,000 children and with the early momentum the charity are hoping to help even more children this year.

Allan Ogle, charity manager for Hallam FM’s Cash for Kids, said: “I’m overwhelmed with this year’s response and our drop-off points are getting more creative than ever. Down at Motorpoint at Europa Link they have quite possibly South Yorkshire’s largest Christmas Tree on display and the team at Fireguard are on a mission to collect 1,000 selection boxes and have 500 already.

“Generosity knows no bounds where we live and Mission Christmas provides a message to all those going through the toughest of times that your local community has not forgotten about you.

To register as a drop-off point to collect gifts, download material including posters and fundraising packs or to make a donation or to find a drop-off point, visit HYPERLINK "http://www.hallamfm.co.uk/mission" www.hallamfm.co.uk/mission or for more information to get involved, call the Cash for Kids team on 0114 209 1100.