Published: Friday, 5th December, 2008 11:17am

Last chance to join Fratellis in backing toy appeal

Barry, Jon and Mince Fratelli, who are backing our Christmas toy appeal

INDIE rock band The Fratellis are helping to spread some seasonal cheer by joining our Toys & Teens Appeal.

The Glasgow three-piece, who will be playing at Reading's Rivermead centre next Tuesday, are urging readers to donate toys and change a child's Christmas before the appeal closes this weekend.

Singer and guitarist Jon Fratelli said: "The Toys & Teens Appeal really makes a difference.

"We're very happy to support this cause and would like to encourage readers to donate gifts themselves and help to brighten up Christmas for many local kids."

Jon and bandmates Barry and Mince are donating five signed CDs to help brighten the day for Reading teens. The band's hit singles include Chelsea Dagger, from their first album Costello Music, and Mistress Mabel, taken from current album Here We Stand.

The Fratellis are the second high-profile band to back our campaign, joining The Hoosiers, who donated five signed copies of their number one album The Trick To Life.

Lead Hoosiers singer Irwin Sparkes, who grew up in Woodley and went to Waingels School, said: "One present may seem like a drop in the ocean, but if more people donate then it can make even more of a difference. It's important that children are able to receive something this Christmas."

Each year, kind-hearted

residents, businesses and groups donate presents for children and teenagers across the town who would not otherwise have

anything to open on Christmas morning. Many are in families that struggle to make ends meet; others have no family at all and rely on the kindness of strangers.

Last year 1,500 young people received gifts, but many more are expected to be in need this year.

Please donate new or good quality unwrapped gifts at our collection points before Saturday.

To donate them up to Wednesday, December 10, email readingfamilyaid@yahoo.co.uk or call Ruth Perkins on 0118 947 0305. Also contact her if you can offer much-needed help with sorting.

Younger children would welcome toys, games, books, crafts, crayons, colouring books; clothes are appreciated for babies and young children.

There is also an urgent need for presents for older children - especially teenage boys. Please donate vouchers, toiletries or other suitable presents. Please also donate good quality AA, AAA, C and D batteries.

Toys and Teens collection points:

Reading Town Centre:

Greyfriars Church - Friar Street, RG1 1EH. Rebecca Chapman 0118 951 6700/01 or email office@greyfriars.org.uk

Voluntary Action Centre - Cross Street, Reading, RG1 1SN. Michelle Le Sueur on 0118 957 4123

Salvation Army - Anstey Road, Reading RG31 7JR (Castle Hill roundabout). Open Monday to Friday 9am-3pm. 0118 958 3019.

Mayor's Parlour, Civic Offices, Dusseldorf Way, Reading, RG1 7TD. Sandie Bonner 0118 939 0071 or email sandie.bonner@reading.gov.uk

West Reading:

Access Storage - 62 Portman Road, RG30 1EA. 0118 957 6694. Monday to Friday 8.30am-6pm, Saturday 8.30am-5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm.

Salvation Army (Oxford Road) - 522 Oxford Road, RG30 1EG (opposite Brock Barracks). 0118 957 5394. Monday to Friday 10am-1pm. Other times as advertised on the activity display board outside.

South Reading:

Reading 107fm - Radio House, Madejski Stadium, RG2 0FN. 0118 986 255.

Tilehurst and Calcot:

Birch Copse School - Wittenham Avenue, RG31 5LN. 0118 942 7442.

Sainsbury's Savacentre, Bath Road, Calcot, RG31 7SA (customer service desk). Monday to Friday 7am-midnight, Saturday 6am-10pm and Sunday 10am-4pm.

Asda, Honey End Lane, Tilehurst, RG30 4EL. Monday to Saturday 7.30am-10pm and Sun 10am-4pm.

Woodley and Earley:

Crescent Centre - Warbler Drive, Earley, RG6 4HB. 0118 921 0555.

Caversham:

Thameside Primary School, Harley Road, RG4 8DB. 0118 901 5551.

Rabbit Van Hire - Wolsey Road, RG4 8BY. 0118 946 1661.

Emmer Green: