Express & Star Christmas Toy Appeal: Toys 'R' Us latest big name backer

The Oldbury store generously offered us an extra £250 to spend on toys in their shop on top of the £1,000 donation from the Goodyear workers last week.

And the cash from each donor funded a whole van full of toys and games that will bring an extra Christmas cheer to Caparo workers who have lost their jobs and young people spending the festive season in hospital this year.

This tremendous donation from Toys 'R' Us adds to the floods of gifts the Express & Star's campaign has already received.

Our appeal, which has seen us team up with Storage King who have depots Walsall and Dudley, has already had backing from readers, local businesses and clubs including Wolves, Baggies and Walsall.

The main aim is to ensure as many youngsters as possible don't miss out on the festive fun this year.

Niall McMurray, manager of Toys 'R' Us, said: "It's fantastic that young people who need toys at Christmas time and can't get support or families that can't afford things have the opportunity to have a really good and fun time.

"It's great to be able contribute in terms of the total, but also as a base to for our customers to drop the toys for the appeal."

Our campaign has had support from big names with the likes of Sir Lenny Henry, the Chuckle Brothers and Wolves captain Danny Batth getting on board.

But we are still appealing for toys and gifts so we can help out as many youngsters of ages from babies to young adults up to 18.

We need both new and second hand gifts but not wrapped in paper please, this is so that the charities are able to select the right gift to fit the recipient.

The second hand toys will be donated to Acorns Hospice who will sell the toys in their stores to help support their care for children with life limiting or life threatening conditions and their families.

While the sales of some Caparo businesses in the Black Country have so far secured the jobs of nearly 500, many face uncertain futures and 323 will not be returning to work for the company.

Alison Hankinson, from Storage King, who is helping coordinate the campaign, added: "We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the businesses and people in the Midlands. I would like to thank Toys R Us for their extremely generous donation towards the appeal. It has given a massive boost to the quantity of gifts that we are now able to give the charities and children's wards at the end of the appeal.

"Going into the appeal, we imagined that we would get a few hundred toys, but now seeing triple that amount, makes us proud that we are part of a very generous and giving region."

Drop-off bins have been set up at the Express & Star's offices in Wolverhampton and Storage King depots in Station Street, Walsall, Unit 8 Ionic Park in Birmingham New Road, Dudley, 133 Birmingham Road, West Bromwich and Pulse Soccer & Fitness Gym in Wednesbury.

Toys 'R' Us in Oldbury also have a drop off point but will be accepting new toys only.

Express & Star deputy editor Diane Davies said: "There has been great generosity from the local community for the cause, as well as from businesses such as Toys 'R' Us, who have backed the scheme magnificently."