The first toys have started to trickle in for the the Kevin Jenkins OBE Newham Christmas Toy Appeal.

But now support is need to turn that trickle into a deluge if no child is to be left out.

An early donation and boost came from supporter Keel Toys, delivered by another of the appeal’s long-term supporters, Stan Harris.

He handed over the toys to Liam Hartley-Davies, Ambition, Aspire, Achieve’s SEND Co-ordinator.

For the West Ham United stars who helped launched our appeal, the importance of supporting the community should not be underestimated..

Midfielder Tomáš Souček, defender Vladimír Coufal and midfielder Maxwel Cornet joined forces with charity Ambition, Aspire, Achieve,(AAA), to the kick off the campaign.

Through the Players’ Project, the Hammers’ men’s, women’s and academy players select key areas of community work to advocate for and give time to.

As part of this, the trio paid a visit to AAA’s Terence Brown Arc in the Park site in Canning Town to help to raise awareness for the appeal.

The appeal is run in partnership with the Newham Recorder and Cornet said: “I love it here, we’re so blessed as football players but it’s so important for me and my teammates to give back and it was important to be here.”

Souček was equally pleased to be supporting Ambition Aspire Achieve, saying: “It’s very important because where I came from, I had a lovely childhood, but I know the focus is important during Christmas time, and I believe all children should have a nice Christmas and look forward to getting presents and this charity is very important making sure they get presents as some parents can’t afford them.”

He added: “It’s great to see what this charity is doing with the kids and see how they help them. It wasn’t just the staff that showed us, but we got to see the kids and see how happy they are here.”

Coufal said: “It’s very important for West Ham and this community to be connected together and also for us it’s very important to support the kids because they are the best thing that you can have in your life, and we have to support them”.

He continued: “I wouldn’t play for a club that doesn’t care about the local people and communities. I am really proud to be a West Ham player and support the local people and that is what West Ham is about.”