A family-run toy shop is the latest supporter to pledge support for the Telegraph & Argus Children’s Secret Santa Appeal.

Wasim Quereshi, who owns Toy Station in Leeds Road, Thornbury, is going to supply the appeal with its gifts, giving a generous discount.

Funds are starting to flood in for the appeal which so far is buying gifts for youngsters linked to Barnardo’s Young Carers Service and The Children’s Society’s Gateway Children’s Centre in Ravenscliffe.

Mr Quereshi, who is 25, said he has nephews who are young carers so the appeal particularly touched his heart.

“I know how hard it is for them. They have to be grown-up because of the circumstances they find themselves in but they deserve to be like any other child at Christmas and have fun. I’m glad to be helping out with the appeal,” he said.

Toy Station, which only opened eight weeks ago, had to completely re-stock its shelves after a recent break-in almost cleaned them out.

Mr Qureshi said: “It happened when we were away and they took almost everything but we dug deep in our pockets to get the shop back open. People thought we’d shut down but were really supportive when they found out what had happened to us and have come back to buy from us so helping the appeal is another way of us showing our appreciation for that.”

Susan Gate from HRF said: “We know there are lots of businesses struggling in Bradford at the moment so we were determined that any donations we got from the Bradford public should go back into the local economy rather than into a big chain’s pocket. We’re delighted Toy Station has joined us to make it a happier Christmas for as many of the district’s poorest children as we can.”