Ref. 28166-48CHRISTMAS is a time for families - and the Evening Advertiser Christmas Appeal hopes to support parents in Swindon.

The West Swindon Family Centre, in Gainsborough Way, Freshbrook, will receive presents from our appeal, which aims to raise £5,000.

Sarah Battershell, 27, from Toothill, is one of many parents who goes to the centre's parent and toddler activity group for under four-year-olds.

She takes her two sons, four-month-old Joshua and Ryan, two, to the weekly group, which runs on Mondays at Toothill Community Centre.

Mrs Battershell said: "It is a brilliant opportunity for your children to play with other youngsters. I also get to meet other parents, so we all benefit."

Painting, making crafts, singing, cooking and reading are just some of the activities on offer.

Deana Huckvale, 43, from Toothill, is also a fan of the sessions. She said: "My two-year-old, James, loves it. He particularly enjoys painting here and I like chatting to other parents."

Last year our appeal donated £250 to the centre, which was used to buy toys for the crche and after school club.

Mother-of-two Angelina Morgan, 32, from Toothill, looks forward to attending the parent and toddler group.

She said: "It is very convenient and the people are so friendly."

The West Swindon Family Centre is one of 11 charities our appeal is supporting.

The other organisations to benefit are the Walcot Family Centre, The Welcome Centre, Homestart, Chalet Special School, The Koalas Opportu-nity Group, The Green Hut, Uplands Special School, Brimble Hill Special School, The Otters Group and Swindon Women's Refuge.

The Nationwide building society, based in Piper Way, has already boosted the appeal with a cheque for £1,000. Collection boxes have now been placed around the borough, so donations can be made easily.

Victoria Tagg

HOW TO DONATE TO THE APPEAL

To donate money to our Christmas appeal you can drop in to any branch of Nationwide and quote Evening Advertiser Christmas Appeal Account number: 0435/703528821

Collection boxes have also been placed in the following locations:

Sainsbury's in Bridgemead

Sainsbury's in Stratton St Margaret.

Tesco in The Parade, Swindon

Havelock News in Havelock Street, Swindon.

Baileys News in Cheney Manor and in High Street, Wootton Bassett.

Dillons, in Newburgh Place, Highworth.

Grange Drive News, in Grange Drive, Stratton St Margaret.

Spar shop in Purton.

Rodbourne Mini Market, in Rodbourne Road, Rodbourne Cheney.