Our Christmas Toy Appeal has received thousands of toys from businesses, groups and individuals.

The appeal, started nearly 40 years ago, could not continue without the long-term support of our readers and others in the community.

Among the companies to provide major support are Glyn Hopkin Ltd, Mace, Byrne Group Plc and Scrutton.

Other supporters include Ladbrokes, O’Shea, Aspers, Royal Docks Trust, Clark Electrical, Pinnacle, Ace Companies, East London Foundation Trust, Viridor, Thames Water and Muse.

Toy collections came from Capita, Clifford Chance, Investec, Reed Smith Solicitors, Forest School in Snaresbrook, First Reserve, Eastcourt School in Goodmayes, Chevron Energy Ltd, Active Newham, iiaa, Newham Partnership Working, Morgan Stanley in Canary Wharf and Aspers Casino,

Further collections were made by Close Brothers, London Legacy Development Corporation, Variety Club, Vanguard Asset Management, Fence Club, Bank of England, Hendersons Global Investors, TPG Capital, Freemantle Media, John Lewis, T+L Sugars, Fidelity International, Valero, CVC Capital Partners, Barclays in Canary Wharf, Tate & Lyle, ELBA, Harrow Green, Bank of New York Mellon and Heart Radio

A number of churches organised toy services, including All Saints in Writtle, St James and St Johns in Havering-atte-Bower, St Michaels in Gidea Park, Brentwood United Reform Church, St Saviours Church in Forest Gate and All Nations Church.

The Christmas 100 Club, which saw donors hand over £100 to buy presents, included Lyn Brown MP, Arriva, Stephen Timms MP, Simply Loos, Bernice Haber, Newham Recorder, OMM, D E Ford Insurance, Wiseman Lee and Hawkins Brown

Other donations came from Diamond ProStar, who gave footballs, Zara and River Island, who provided vouchers, and books from Scholastic Books, MacMillan Books, Bibliophile Books, Newham Bookshop and EliJoe.

Lister School staff raised an amazing £465.70 by raffling a large soft toy on the last day of term, while Rose Bennett wonderful handmade teddy bears and hat and glove sets once again make lovely bespoke presents for the children receiving them.

Community Links co-founder and life president Kevin Jenkins extended special thanks to all the individuals who have dropped off gifts or cash over the past six weeks.

He also thanked John Murphy , the managing director of Quattro Plant Hire, for providing the Christmas warehouse for eight weeks.