THE people of Darlington are coming together to ensure the town’s needy children have a Christmas Day.

Donations are being taken in across the town as the annual Salvation Army Toy Appeal gets underway.

Major Colin Bradshaw of the SA’s Darlington Citadel said he is confident the town will meet the need of its most vulnerable youngsters and their families.

Previously, Major Bradshaw told The Northern Echo that government cuts meant more children than ever before are being plunged into poverty.

The 2015 Darlington Toy Appeal was launched in response to the crisis and aims to ensure every child in Darlington opens a present on Christmas morning.

The appeal is also accepting donations of tinned food and money, all of which will go towards supporting families in need this winter.

Major Bradshaw said: “We have had an increase in agencies working with us which will add to the increase in children referred to us.

“We’ve had some toys and money in and I’m confident this will increase as we get nearer December.

“In our heart we know that the generous nature of Darlington people will meet the growing poverty affecting Darlington children.”

In 2014, the appeal gave more than 500 children a gift, a figure predicted to soar to historic levels this year.

Toys can be donated at The Northern Echo’s Priestgate offices, The Salvation Army’s headquarters on Thompson Street East in Darlington or the Footprints Christian bookshop on Skinnergate before Saturday, December 5.

Money can be donated at the bookshop or the SA’s headquarters. Cheques can be made payable to The Salvation Army.