Ref. The Evening Advertiser Christmas Appeal aims to bring Christmas cheer to children throughout Swindon. And Sainsbury's, in Stratton St Margaret, is helping us to reach this goal.

The store has donated nearly £200 worth of toys towards the appeal, which aims to raise £5,000.

Store manager Andrew Major said: "We are pleased to be supporting such an important appeal.

"I am sure the toys will all go to good homes and help make the festive season more fun for children."

The toys, which included cuddly toys and card games, will be given to youngsters helped by the 11 charities our appeal is supporting this year.

The organisations to benefit from the appeal are the Walcot Family Centre, West Swindon Family Centre, The Welcome Centre, Homestart, Chalet Special School, The Koalas Opportunity Group, The Green Hut, Uplands Special School, Brimble Hill Special School, The Otters Group and Swindon Women's Refuge.

Nationwide Building Society, based in Pipers Way, has already boosted the appeal with a cheque for £1,000.

Michelle Leighton, the community affairs manager at Nationwide, said: "We are thrilled to be supporting appeal and wish it every success.

"The charities the appeal reaches out to make a real difference, especially for children."

Collection boxes have now been placed around the Swindon borough, so donations can easily be made.

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 and Stratton St Margaret

Tesco, in The Parade, Swindon

Havelock News, in Havelock Street, Swindon

Dillons, in Newburgh Place, High-worth

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

Grange Drive News, in Grange Drive, Stratton St Margaret

Spar shop, in Purton

Rodbourne Mini Market, in Rodbourne Road, Rodbourne Cheney