SEVERAL Pubs in York are working together to help provide Christmas presents for children who have suffered domestic abuse.

The Ainsty Pub, on Boroughbridge Road, is running a Raise A Smile campaign in collaboration with Independent Domestic Abuse Services to help provide gifts to children, teenagers and parents who have suffered from domestic abuse.

People who are able to donate presents can deliver them to either the Ainsty Pub, The Bay Horse in Fulford or to The Nags Head Pub in Fulford.

Owner of the Ainsty Pub, Wendy Hyde said they hoped to give people being supported by the charity a more enjoyable Christmas.

She said: “We are running this campaign until December 21. People can donate toys, vouchers or whatever presents they can give to either of the three pubs.

“Barclays Bank on Parliament Street have kindly said that they will wrap all the presents.

“Innocent people who have been affected from domestic abuse have been left with nothing.

“Hopefully receiving a present will make them smile and let them know that there are compassionate people in York.”

YO1 radio are also behind the campaign, helping to fundraise and working with the Ainsty Pub.

Sarah Hill, a spokesman for IDAS, said: “Many people who are affected by domestic abuse face financial hardship over Christmas. Abusive partners often leave their families in debt or families who escape to our refuge come to us with nothing.

"Some people arrive at the refuge with the clothes they stand up in, having left their belongings, clothes and children’s toys at home.

"Fundraising initiatives like Raise a Smile are brilliant and really help out at this time of year. We’d like to say a huge thank you to Wendy and to everyone who has donated including to the lovely staff at Barclays Bank in York who’ve really got involved in helping."