‘The most vulnerable children will get a toy this Christmas’ thanks to Harry (6) and his mum from Welshpool

Sarah Voice, from Welshpool, a nurse from the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, has organised a Christmas toy appeal for the Montgomeryshire Family Crisis Centre in Newtown.

It is the fourth year Ms Voice has carried out the appeal and this year she has been helped by her six-year-old son Harry Voice, a pupil at Montgomery Church in Wales School.

Ms Voice says this year the appeal has had its best ever response – with more than 600 toys donated, and she wants to thank everyone who has conributed for their heart-warming generosity.

She said: “I started the appeal about four years ago.

“I was just looking to support the community at Christmas. I took it into work (the hospital) the next year and it has just spread across the community of Welshpool, Newtown and Powys.

“This is the biggest collection yet we have had a fantastic amount of donations, around 600 so far.

“That is fantastic, people have been so generous, particularly local businesses.”

Among those who have donated toys are the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, the children of Montgomery Church in Wales School, Tesco in Welshpool, the Talbot Hotel in Berriew, the Dragon Hotel in Montgomery and Tesco in Newtown.

Ms Voice added that her son, Harry, had been a big help and was pleased that other children would be receiving a gift this Christmas.

She said: “Harry goes to school in Montgomery and they have been very helpful in spreading the word about the appeal.

“Harry has helped me collect toys, sort them out into donation bags and the school has talked about it and produced a display.”

As well as the toy appeal, Ms Voice undertook a half marathon last February and will be running another half-marathon in the New Year to continue fundraising.

She added: “I want to say thank you to every single person who has generously donated to help support the most vulnerable.

“It shows a fantastic community spirit.”