A KIND-HEARTED Kidderminster mother is aiming to bring some joy to even more people this year with her annual Christmas toy appeal.

Mandy Griffiths will collect for the children and young people on Worcestershire Royal Hospital’s Riverbank Ward as usual.

But she has also expanded the appeal to include community children’s charities with the donation deadline being December 1.

Mandy said: “We’ve started our toy appeal but this time we’re not only collecting for Worcester children’s ward.

“We’re also collecting for local children’s charities.

“Last year we had local children’s care homes needing over 200 gifts so we’d like to ask the community for help in bringing more smiles this year.”

Mandy Griffiths will collect gifts and The Civic, Stourport, is also a donation station. Stu Ritchie and Hev Beckstein will be collecting in Worcester.

Mandy is supported by her committee of volunteers including Suzanne Windmill, Vander Browning, Caroline Caldwell, Carol Swain, Fran Oborski, Aly and Laura Lench, Sam and Kev Andrews and Becky Mason.

Toys and gifts can be suitable for newborn babies to 18 year olds. Items need to be new, tagged and sealed due to hospital restrictions.

Donations of toiletries are also being accepted for parents and carers who stay with the children on the ward.

Last year Mandy hailed the Christmas toy appeal for children in hospital as the best yet.

She dropped off gift bags and toys at the children’s hospital ward in Worcester in around her seventh year of doing the delivery.

The mother-of-four, who formed the Far and Wide Kindness Community Group, said at the time: “It’s always amazing but this has been the most amazing so far because of the support I have had.

“We had that much which is just amazing in a cost-of-living crisis when people are struggling.”

For more details and to get involved, email Farandwidecommunitygroup@gmail.com or call Mandy on 07497 204838.