You have been amazing with our Christmas toy appeal but we still need more help

When we launched our Christmas toy appeal we knew it was at a time many of you, our brilliant readers, were struggling. Times are hard, and Christmas stretches lots of us more than usual. But we have been blown away by all the support so far and wanted to say thankyou.

Parcels big and small have come - notes that have reduced us to tears. There was someone who told us "Sorry I can't afford to contribute much but I hope this helps someone". Each note telling us they hope it will bring joy to someone just brings home how amazing people are. When the world feels bleak, things like this make you realise how great people are all by just clicking on an Amazon wish list which you'll find here and buying an item for a few pounds.

The toy appeal runs so that we can ensure children in Wales who otherwise wouldn't get anything get at least one present on Christmas Day. We give the toys to Canolfan Pentre, a community centre in Pentre, Rhondda, who in turn hand them out to the most needy families. The kids they give them to are recommended by schools, the council or those who know them. They are the sort of kids who are too hungry to eat, even when treated to a hot dog or who otherwise would only get crisps on Christmas Day.

They are given to parents and carers unwrapped so the kids are none the wiser where the gift has come from. There are around 500 kids who we hope to help again this year.

It brings some magic to kids on Christmas Day, but it also relieves a huge amount of stress and pain for their parents or carers who otherwise have no way of spoiling their kids, or will go into debt to try do so. The children the campaign helps just want a day where they can have fun and open a new toy, and last year and this you have been incredible at helping us.

How to donate to our Christmas appeal

1. Buy an item from our Amazon wishlist and have it sent directly to us. You can access the list here.

2. Bring any items - new, unopened, and if food, in date, to the WalesOnline office at 6 Park Street, Cardiff, CF10 1XR, Monday to Friday 8am until 6pm.

We will then give the items to the staff at Canolfan Pentre to distribute.

Find out more about our appeal to make sure kids in Wales gets presents this Christmas

We also donate food, for the top-up shop, to make sure people have food in their cupboards, and Christmas hampers so that dinner that night isn't just a bag of crisps, but something special. The sort of memory kids remember long into adulthood.

We know we're all asked a lot, especially at Christmas, but if you can spare a few pounds, purchase an item from our gift list on Amazon, or if you can raise some cash with a cake sale or Christmas jumper day and buy something. If you work somewhere with items you can donate, we'd be incredibly grateful.

Diolch and thankyou, from the bottom of our hearts.