THE Press is today launching its annual Toys & Tins Appeal to try to brighten up Christmas for victims of domestic violence and other vulnerable residents.

We are urging readers to donate toys and tins of food for Independent Domestic Abuse Services (IDAS), formerly the York’s Women’s Aid Refuge, and for the Salvation Army.

The former helps women and their children as they recover from the trauma of domestic violence, while the latter provides food parcels and toys for people in need.

The appeal has met with a heartwarming response over the years, with countless bags and boxes of toys and tins handed in to our Walmgate offices, filled to the brim with books, games, teddies, toys, sweets and toiletries.

Staff at Benenden’s offices in Holgate Park have also boosted the appeal by collecting huge numbers of gifts.

Mothers and children at the York refuge sent a card in January to thank readers for their generous response, with one mother saying it had “made our Christmas”. A refuge spokeswoman said then that families had often come to York from their home towns, leaving most or all of their belongings behind, and they were unable to see family and friends over the festive period. She said readers’ generous gifts made a real difference to the mothers and children, and brought them real joy on Christmas Day.

Melanie McQueen, head of accommodation at IDAS, said yesterday: “We would like to extend our huge thanks to all those who have generously donated items for those children, families and individuals experiencing domestic abuse - this time of year can be especially difficult and every donation makes a difference.”

Major Andrew Dunkinson, Corps Officer with the Salvation Army, which also runs its own toy appeal, said it had provided 220 Christmas food parcels to families last year and toys for 550 children.

He said families and children were referred by statutory partner agencies, such as social services, and the donated items made a real difference to the recipients at Christmas. “We have heard a lot about people who are only just managing but at Christmas we are helping people who are really struggling or who are not coping,” he said.

He added that the Salvation Army was looking for new toys, and asked people to make their donations by no later than December 14, so they could be taken by partner agencies, sorted by age and sex, and then distributed to families in time for Christmas.

l Readers are asked to drop off gifts at our office reception in Walmgate during weekday office hours before December 15.