IT is almost Santa’s busiest time of year and this Christmas residents are invited to give him a helping hand by donating presents for sick and disabled children.

The Children’s Adventure Farm Trust (CAFT) near Lymm supports youngsters throughout the year but last November they launched their first toy appeal to help families celebrate the most magical time of the year.

And the Warrington Guardian has teamed up with Storage King to support the campaign by collecting gifts.

In 2016 about 1,000 presents were donated but this year CAFT is hoping to collect even more.

Helen Crowther from the charity said: “Each year we bring the fun of Christmas into the lives of children who sadly don’t enjoy the festivities as all children should.

“We do everything in our power to ensure that they experience all of the fun and joy that Christmas can bring and an important part of that is their visit to Santa. We’re so grateful to Storage King for all of their hard work in putting this toy appeal together.”

The gifts will be handed out to about 800 children who will be visiting the charity between November 20 and December 20.

A group of elves will be welcoming youngsters to the centre, where children will get the chance to play in their own inflatable snow globe and have a mock snowball fight.

Hot chocolate with marshmallows will be served before a Christmas party with music and festive games. Children will meet the farm’s pygmy goats, miniature donkeys and alpacas in the barn before sitting down to a full Christmas dinner in the farmhouse.

And then the group will visit Santa’s grotto where they will receive wrapped presents.

The charity is aiming to hand out more than 2,400 gifts this year and is hoping residents can help them reach their goal.

Toys can be dropped off at Storage King on Colville Court, The Jungle Play Centre, The Balloon and Gift Boutique off Horsemarket Street, The Entertainer in Golden Square and the Warrington Guardian office on Centre Park.

For more information call Marc Howarth at Storage King on 638877 and to learn more about the events visit caft.co.uk.