Santa’s sledge is getting ready for a bumper cargo as the money raised for the Telegraph & Argus Children’s Secret Santa Appeal now tops £8,000.

With ten more days to run, generous Bradford well-wishers have swelled the total to £8,808. That means more of the 37,000 youngsters living in poverty across the district will be guaranteed a present to open on Christmas morning.

The T&A appeal is working with the Bradford-based Human Relief Foundation to spread the magic of Christmas to children who might otherwise not experience the excitement of unwrapping a gift.

Since it started last month, the public have sent in £1,808 online and in cheques. The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Dale Smith, has given £1,000 from his Sprinkle Sunshine Appeal and Shabir Hussain, from Akbar’s Restaurant, has donated £6,000.

Some of the donations sent in have been anonymous, while others have come with heartfelt messages.

One message came from Queensbury couple Margaret and Geoff Robinson, who wrote: “We are so pleased that you – our wonderful Telegraph & Argus local paper – are about to make so many youngsters and others able to enjoy Christmas like all the rest of us.”

Sarah Gate, of the Human Relief Foundation said: “We have seen huge amounts of generosity from both the people of Bradford and local businesses. We are able to help more children than we first imagined and we hope that this will continue.”

Among the young people being helped by the appeal are those linked to Barnardo’s young carers scheme and The Children’s Society’s Gateway children’s centre in Ravenscliffe.

This Friday, burlesque performer Heidi Bang Tidy will be raising funds for the appeal at her Bradford does Burlesque show at Little Germany’s New Playhouse, from 7.30pm.

Harry Khinda, from Zaara’s Restaurant in Saltaire, has also donated a meal for two worth £30 to be raffled in aid of the appeal at Manningham Mills Christmas fair this Saturday.

The clock is ticking fast to the closing date of December 21, but there is still time to push the total up even more, says Miss Gate. “The more money we get, the more presents we can buy and the more smiles we can put on children’s faces,” she said.