TFM Radio's Make a Child Smile Toy Appeal is now approaching its 11th anniversary and since its inception has collected over a million pounds worth of toys for needy children across Teesside, County Durham and North Yorkshire.

The RAF flew Santa in from Lapland to Durham Tees Valley Airport to officially open the Christmas appeal. Santa was then met by a group of children from St George's C.E. Aided Primary School and Zoe Birkett. Santa then brought his first bag of toys to the Christmas appeal and put them under the tree at TFM radio which will then get distributed by out to local underprivileged children.

Charity Manager Dawn Carney, said:

"Sadly, in this area, there are children whose circumstances and living conditions mean that they would otherwise wake up to nothing on Christmas day. We work with local social services and organisations to ensure that, as a result of this appeal, the neediest children in our region will receive something. With the help of the general public and our sponsor North East Property Buyers we can ensure that children in our area won't go without this Christmas".

You can help support this appeal, by buying one extra gift suitable for a child aged between birth and 18 years. Collection points for the gifts are located at Psyche department store, any Sainsburys at Bell's or Bell's Store's, any Matalan, any Travel Care and selected Asda stores.

Thank You to Steve Cochrane (MACS Ambassador) and all the team at Psyche Department Store who have allowed us to turn the top floor of Psyche into a central sorting and distribution hub.

Thank You also to the Army at North Yorkshire who once again are supporting us by collecting toys from each of the collection points.

Full details of drop off points and printable posters are available on the events page.

Click below to watch the video of the toy appeal launch

Click below to watch behind the scenes of the toy appeal 2007 

For more information, please click on calender page.