WATERSTONES bookshop has got behind the Telegraph & Argus Toys & Tins Appeal by asking customers to leave donations under the Christmas tree in their cafe.

There are just five days left to donate items to the appeal which are being donated to Bradford Survive & Thrive, a charity which assists women and children in the district fleeing domestic violence. It means all the children will have a gift to open on Christmas morning.

Assistant cafe manager Kerrie Brickebank has also put up a sign asking for customers to donate gifts.

Store manager Ian Oldfield set the ball rolling and donated £70 worth of books for children. The store has also given 20 rolls of wrapping paper and rolls of tape.

Kerrie said she was thrilled to have been able to help a charity which is close to her heart.

“I was in an abusive relationship for over three years and found it difficult to get away because I had nowhere to go.

“It started six months into the relationship and I felt so trapped. I really understand what these women feel like who manage to flee domestic violence, though I can’t begin imagine how difficult it must be for those who have children and can’t provide for them.

“It’s true you escape with nothing so it is such a wonderful appeal the T&A is doing to help these people.”

Kerry added that colleagues are donating toiletry items for the mums, as well as nappies.

A Waterstones customer has also promised several shoeboxes of toiletry goods.

This year is the fourth annual Toys & Tins Appeal the T&A has organised and has had a huge response from businesses. Tesco in Canal Road, as well as a number of Morrisons stores have donated goods and organised for collection points at their customers services desk for customers to put donations in.

Readers too have been dropping off items to the T&A 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.

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.”

Nigel Burton, editor of the T&A added: “We ask the public and local businesses again to help us spread some festive joy so these vulnerable people have a happy Christmas.”

The last day for donations of unwrapped gifts and non-perishable food is Friday, December 13.