Christmas shoppers are being urged to buy an extra gift for a child so they too can experience the magic of Christmas.

The Reading Chronicle is joining forces with Reading Family Aid for the Toys and Teens Appeal.

Reading people are asked to buy a single extra present, drop it off at one of the many collection points around the town and it will be turned into a special Christmas gift for a child.

Sallie Wall, Chairman of Reading Family Aid, said the gifts go to children who might not otherwise receive a present from those in poverty to carers who look after a family member.

She said: “A campaign like this may be surprising to people in Reading as this is perceived to be an affluent town. I get comments like 'there can’t be poverty in Reading’ but there is.

“Although some believe the economy is recovering there are still families struggling.” She said the monetary value of the gifts donated was irrelevant as the main aim of the campaign was to bring the magic of Christmas to children.

She said: “It’s a chance to experience a Christmas time that most families get, and for those parents to get to see that.

“For the children father Christmas is part of childhood and he goes to everybody and they do not miss out.” Ayisan Besidonne, an Early Years Practioner at Dingley Children’s Centre, said gifts were given to their children who have additional needs and disabilities.

She said the gifts, usually sensory toys, stimulated the children and enabled them to continue with their development.

She said: “Children get to take them home and its something that will benefit them and they are greatly appreciated by the children and their families.” Encouraging people to get involved she said: “It’s not just a money thing for our children as they come from various backgrounds, its actually just giving a different toy to our children,” Last year 1600 children from 678 families received gifts with 71 organisations and social workers requesting toys for their families.

Eight transit van full of toys were donated to the 28 points around Reading.

Almost £700 in gift vouchers were donated and £4,000 in money of which £3,000 pounds was spent on toys and £1,000 on expenses including fuel. And more than 100 volunteers helped sort the toys as well as the Reading Family Aid committee members.