Generous staff at Smyths Toys have helped get our Toy Appeal off to a flying start.

The store, based in Gallions Reach Shopping Park, raided its shelves to ensure children living in poverty across Newham receive presents this Christmas.

Representatives from Community Links headed to the shop on Friday to receive the donation of toys and games, which include items related to the popular films Frozen and Transformers.

The gifts are now sitting in a room in Community Links’ Barking Road base.

It was emptied before the appeal started and the aim is to fill it with donations before the presents are distributed on Christmas Eve.

Kevin Jenkins, co-founder and life president of Community Links, said: “This is a brilliant start to our Toy Appeal.

“It’s great that Smyths have donated the toys and are supporting children in Newham who would otherwise not get anything for Christmas.”

The appeal was only launched a week ago, but there has already been a great response from readers.

There is still plenty of time to drop new and good quality presents off at any of the places listed and support youngsters who have been referred to Community Links.

Last year, a record 15,000 toys were collected to provide gifts for almost 4,000 children to open on Christmas morning.

The support of Smyths Toys and our readers means that target is well on the way to being matched.