The appeal asked local businesses to contribute toys to be distributed to charities focusing specifically on children and teenagers with disabilities, or from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Despite the UK being the world’s fifth largest economy, over four million children live in poverty and over 1.6 million food parcels have been handed out in 2018-2019. For children with disabilities, the ever-growing funding gap – now estimated at over £434 million by the Disabled Children’s Partnership – often means that hospices, hospitals and charities rely on donations of toys and gifts as funding is distributed in other, more critical areas.

Initiatives like this can make the difference not only for children and teenagers at Christmas, but for families and carers who otherwise may have gone without to ensure that children are provided for. 

Adrian Collins from Aspen Pumps said: “Aspen Pumps donated £500 and so we purchased as many toys as we could, suitable for children of all ages.

Action for Children states that 11% of children under 10 in the UK are classed as living in materially deprived, low income families, and 15% of children's charities now don’t receive any funding from CCGs. With increased costs, hospices for children and their families are feeling the pressure.

Ian Kirwan of More Radio said: “We are a local caring station and seeing local businesses pulling together for the community as whole is fantastic to see.”

Initiatives like this supported by local company’s such as Aspen Pumps, show that a little community spirit can go a long way.