GENEROUS staff at Tesco's Canal Road store have again donated trolley loads of gifts for the Telegraph & Argus Toys and Tins Appeal.

The store has also made provision for a collection point for customers to donate items they have bought so vulnerable children in the city have a present to open and food to eat on Christmas day.

This year is our fourth annual Toys & Tins Appeal and we have teamed up with Bradford Survive & Thrive which looks after mums and children fleeting domestic violence.

Often these victims have little or no possessions or food and it is impossible for many of them to provide gifts for their children this Christmas.

Tesco has very kindly supported this appeal for the past three years and this year has given £300 worth of toys for children of all ages.

Tracey Porter, community champion at Tesco Canal Road said: "We are very happy to donate again to this very worthwhile cause which really tugs at your heart.

"Our customers are so generous when it comes to donating to those less fortunate and we also want to help."

Last year readers and local businesses didn't disappoint us and hundreds of items were donated to the collection to help ease the pressure from stressed and vulnerable mothers and their children at what should be a joyous time of year.

Again, people are able to leave items with us at our reception, in Hall Ings.

Bradford Survive & Thrive is a consortium which launched earlier in October and is part of Staying Put, a Yorkshire-based charity which incorporates domestic violence services along with charities Family Action and Women Centre.

It creates a one-stop shop for survivors of domestic and sexual abuse.

Our Appeal will ensure all the children under their care will have a gift each at Christmas and the mum's will be able to provide food.

In previous years readers have also donated toiletries and other essentials for the mums.

Yasmin Khan CEO of Staying Put said: "“We’re very grateful that the T&A is supporting our survivors this Christmas, and we’d like to thank all those who generously donate to the Toys & Tins Appeal.

“The families we support often have little or nothing of their own and Christmas can be a very bleak time for them as they are desperate to give their children some normality and happiness.

“Many families become homeless and destitute and struggle financially due to domestic abuse or sexual violence so these donations are hugely appreciated.”

Nigel Burton, editor of the T&A added: “Last year we were able to ensure that all the children being looked after in the women's refuge received a gift last Christmas and we ask the public and businesses to again help us spread some festive joy and ensure these vulnerable people, living in difficult circumstances, have a happy Christmas.”

The last date for donations is Friday, December 13, so the charity can wrap the gifts in time to be delivered for Christmas.

All unwrapped gifts and non-perishable food can be left at our reception, in Hall Ings, between 9.30am and 3pm, Monday to Friday.