Home-Start aims to give youngsters best start through Christmas Gift Appeal

Now the charity is hoping that Shropshire Star readers will help bring a smile to some of the young people it works with.

The charity is one of 11 groups across Shropshire that will benefit from this year's Christmas Gift Appeal, which is being run by the Shropshire Star in partnership with our friends at Storage King in Shrewsbury.

Fundraising manager Julia Allinson says the charity worked to help families across the borough who may be struggling to cope for a number of different reasons.

Gifts can be dropped off at collection points at:

• The Shropshire Star head office at Ketley Business Park, Waterloo Road, Ketley, Telford, TF1 5HU
• Storage King in Archers Way, Battlefield Enterprise Park, Shrewsbury, SY1 3GA
• Southwater One in Telford Town Centre

"These could include bereavement, disability, illness, postnatal depression, multiple births, poverty and domestic violence," she says.

"We recruit and train volunteers who are all experienced parents to visit families within their home, where they are most comfortable and provide emotional and practical support wherever needed."

Julia says this can bring about powerful changes within the families.

"With our support parents are better able to give their children the best possible start in life," she says.

All the families that the charity helps includes at least one youngster below the age of five.

She says any gifts that the charity receives through the collection would mean a great deal to the children.

"We would like gifts of toys to be given to the children we support this Christmas," Julia says. She adds that small treats for parents who are struggling with self-confidence issues would also be appreciated.

"We would like gifts of toys to be given to the children we support this Christmas," she says.

"Most children are aged under five with many families with young babies being supported.

"These would be given to families prior to Christmas.

"We would also like small treats which can be given to parents. Self-care items such as toiletries and chocolates would make perfect treats for parents who may be struggling with self esteem and self confidence, making them feel special."

The charity supports 40 families with 130 children of varying ages.

The toys will be distributed during the second week of December.