It’s a wrap – thanks to Bradford firm Hallmark Cards.

The greeting cards giant has helped the Telegraph & Argus Children’s Secret Santa Appeal get its festive fundraising all wrapped up.

The business, which has its UK and international headquarters in Bingley Road and a 17-acre printing and distribution site in Dawson Lane, Dudley Hill, was happy to help supply the appeal with about 400 metres of paper, enough to wrap the hundreds of Christmas presents it has been able to buy thanks to well-wishers’ generosity.

Money donations sent in by readers and businesses across the district have now passed the £9,000 mark and teams of volunteers have been feverishly hard at work armed with scissors and sticky tape to make sure all the gifts are packed up in time for Christmas Eve.

The T&A teamed up with the Human Relief Foundation, which is based at Claremont in Great Horton, Bradford, to help make this Christmas more special for as many as possible of the 38 per cent of the district’s children who are living in poverty.

Christine Ellwood, who works at Hallmark’s Dawson Lane site, has been helping get the rolls of paper ready.

Sarah Gate, of the Human Relief Foundation, said: “The present buying is going well and we’ve already had some wrapping parties back at the office where our lovely helpers and volunteers have been keeping busy with their scissors and tape.

“We’ve still got lots more to wrap and are so grateful for the donation of wrapping paper – it’s really helped us make sure we get everything all wrapped up and ready for our special deliveries in time for Christmas Eve.”

Hallmark Cards is one of the city’s biggest employers and globally produces two billion cards a year.

Corporate social responsibility manager Steven Smith said: “We get involved in various community initiatives across the district, working in partnership with other groups to help people not as fortunate as ourselves.

“It’s particularly more poignant at this time of year. We were delighted to support this Children’s Secret Santa appeal.”

Schemes being supported by the appeal include Barnardo’s Young Carers Service and the Gateway Children’s Centre in Ravenscliffe.

Anyone fundraising for the T&A appeal, which closes on Friday, should contact reporter Kathie Griffiths on (01274) 705296 or e-mail her at kathie. griffiths@telegraphandargus.co.uk.