Struggling families urged to seek support to get children's toys for Christmas
A real-life Santa Claus who has been stockpiling toys for Christmas has urged families struggling to buy presents this year to get in touch.
And while kind-hearted Dave Thomas might not have a sleigh or reindeer he will make special drop-offs in his Fiesta to those in need.
The 53-year-old founded the Our Helping Hands, Making Children Smile group and has been collecting unwanted items for six years.
Mr Thomas, from Woodsetton, said: “The amount of toys in good condition thrown away is unreal.
“We asked people if they wanted to give us their unwanted toys and we will then give them to struggling communities – I pick them up and then deliver in my little Fiesta.
“I live in a one-bedroom flat and as the years have gone on I’ve had to sleep on the floor because there’s no room due to the toys – I’ve had to take stuff out the bath to have a bath actually.
"We want to reach out to families in the Black Country – who maybe don’t know we exist – and say to them, especially with the end of furlough and people loosing jobs, that we’re there for them.”
The Facebook group, where people can make requests, was originally known as Our Helping Hands, Making Children Smile but is currently known as Children in Need.
It had been changed temporarily to support the BBC fundraiser last year, but an issue with Facebook meant it couldn’t be changed back until the latest update – with the name changing back near the end of the month.
People should join the Facebook page and can remain anonymous if they wish to do so.
They will be asked to choose a present – with well-known items handed out fairly – and then asked to private message the group. People can join the Facebook page by searching “Children in Need”.
