Festive gifts rolling in for Mr X Appeal

GIFTS have already started rolling in for the Mr X Appeal.

The festive appeal, which is now in its 59th year, helps to transform the lives of youngsters in need every year.

Last year, more than 5,000 local children were given gifts across South West Wales thanks to Mr X.

Calls about the appeal started as early as July, with people asking organisers if it would be running again and if they could have names for a boy or girl to buy for.

One of the organisers behind the Mr X Appeal said: “I’ve even had a call from two of the collection points at the beginning of October telling me the presents have started to arrive. The Mr X team is up and running, with names from the child care agencies pouring in.

“We are making sure everything is in place and ready for another successful year.”

Supporters are invited to buy what they can afford for the children, including new toys, books and games, and then take them to one of the dropoff points at the beginning of December.

There is also the chance for people to become the Mr X or Mrs X of their workplace and organise donations from their colleagues. They will be issued with a list from the appeal, which contains the children’s forenames, reference numbers, ages, and whether they are boy or girl. Families, individuals, colleagues, schools and businesses all play a part in the appeal from across South West Wales.

The names are given through child support agencies working in different council areas, including Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Neath Port Talbot.

Unwrapped presents should be placed in Christmas bags with a child’s name and reference number on the outside, making it personal to that child. ■ Call the Mr X team on 01792 863400, 01792 846271, 01792 523885, 07974 689383 or 07982 243402 or visit the Facebook page, where some businesses have put up Christmas trees with children’s names on for people to choose a child.