With gifts to buy for hundreds of Bradford’s poorest youngsters, Sarah Gate from the Telegraph & Argus Children’s Secret Santa Appeal went on a serious shopping spree this week.

Funds have almost topped the £9,000 mark and with 12 more days to go until Santa packs his sleigh there is still plenty of work to do for his helpers – of whom Miss Gate from Bradford’s Human Relief Foundation is one.

Yesterday she took her wish-list to family-run Leeds Road store Toy Station so she could start buying presents for the 300 youngsters identified to the appeal through Barnardo’s Young Carers Scheme and the Gateway Children’s Centre in Ravenscliffe, run by The Children’s Society.

Toy Station owner Wasim Quereshi pledged to support the appeal by offering a generous discount.

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

Because more funds are continuing to pour in from well-wishing readers and businesses, the appeal is now considering requests from other registered charities and organisations who need Christmas presents for children they work with.

Miss Gate said: “The response to the appeal so far has been fantastic and signs are that money is still coming in which is great news for us and for the children out there who might not otherwise have much of a Christmas this year.

“Whether it’s sending us a small donation, collecting in your street or workplace or putting on an event to get people in the giving spirit then we’d love to hear from them – every penny and pound really does count.”

If you are organising a fundraiser for the appeal let us know and you will get a mention. Call reporter Kathie Griffiths on (01274) 705296 or e-mail kathie.griffiths@ telegraphandargus.co.uk.

Any official organisations or charities who would like to be considered for possible inclusion should contact Sara Gate at the Human Relief Foundation at PO Box 194, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD7 1YW, or call her on (01274) 392727.