Liverpool Echo Toy Appeal launches

The Liverpool Echo launches this year’s toy appeal to provide Christmas presents for underprivileged children across Merseyside

The Echo have teamed up with your local Lions Clubs, Radio City's Mission Christmas, and is also building upon their successful partnership working with family favourite Greggs the Bakers across Merseyside, to provide Christmas presents to disadvantaged children in our region.

The appeal launched on Monday, November 23 and will finish on Monday, December 21.

The support and generosity has been overwhelming in previous years, especially last year when over £800,000 worth of toys were collected for children who may not otherwise have received such gifts over the Christmas period.

Natalie Bradford, ECHO brand manager, said: “We’re so excited to launch the Christmas Toy Appeal again. It’s wonderful that the generosity of the people of Merseyside can make such a difference and really save Christmas for the children that need it most.

"If you are able to donate a gift it really will be gratefully received and go to a child who otherwise might not receive any Christmas gifts at all. So thank you to everyone who will be taking part this year, the generosity of the people of Merseyside is second to none and I look forward to being a part of it this year.”

“I know that budgets are tight at this time of year and we are all looking at ways to save money, but some children literally have nothing. Just one extra gift from each of you results in thousands of children's faces lighting up on Christmas morning”

Local Lions Clubs work hard every year to collect the toys and take them to a central location, where they are sorted by age groups and gender.

Each year the Echo Toy Appeal and Radio City’s Mission Christmas Cash for Kids join forces to make dreams come true across the region. Let’s make this year the best one yet!

How can I help?

If you would like to donate a new, unwrapped toy - Toys which are suitable for children of all ages, including teenagers aged 14-17, will be gratefully received. Mark clearly gender and age .

There are no Greggs stores in Formby so here is a list of where you can take the toys in our Bubble.....

The Grapes Pub - Green Lane, Formby (Closed for refurb until 8th December)

Freshfield Primary School - Watchyard Lane, Formby

Thomas Cook - 36 Chapel Lane, Formby

Cafe 48 - 7c Duke Street, Formby

Greggs Drop off points

Please visit your local Greggs store to drop off a gift and collect a free sausage roll for your trouble!

The full list of participating Greggs stores & their addresses are in the link below or you can find your local Greggs Store here, just be sure to check it is participating in our Toy Appeal as a drop off point - Greggs Drop Off Points

Other drop points are available through Radio City's Mission Christmas with Cash for Kids, they can be found on this interactive map.