AN URGENT appeal has been issued to make sure no child wake up on Christmas morning without a present to open.

Gifts for those aged 13 and over are running low at the charity supported by the News & Star Christmas Toy Appeal.

Teenagers - along with babies - are an area that the Cash for Kids’ Mission Christmas campaign struggle each year.

Teams of volunteers are working tirelessly in the warehouse filling bags of presents as they appeal to secure the gifts needed to put in them intensified.

Donations made to the appeal can be physical gifts - donated at any one of the drop-off points across Cumbria and south west Scotland - as well as financial donations.

Cash For Kids - run by a team from Carlisle-based radio station CFM - wants to help thousands of children of all ages enjoy the kindness of the festive season.

Katie Jones, charity manager at CFM, said: “The main areas are the 13-year-olds upwards.

“When you are buying an extra gift, please consider the older aged children from 13 years who would like things such as toiletries and gift sets, make up sets, footballs, socks, jewellery, bags, purses, stationary, hair accessories or haircut vouchers, craft sets, board games, headphones, gadgets, books, fitness items, perfume, cinema vouchers.”

Last year, a staggering 8,034 children were given gifts. The value of those presents was an eye-watering £522,015.

Each gift pack delivered to those youngsters averaged £65.

Over the past five years the appeal has helped 33,004 children which is £2,145,260 gift in kind value of presents.

Final donations to the Mission Christmas festive appeal must be made by December 17.

We hope that, once again, you will add just one present to your shopping list and drop it off at one of our network of collection points.

It doesn’t have to be anything expensive or extravagant. Even the seemingly simplest of gestures can make a difference to someone’s Christmas.

This is an appeal which makes a genuine difference to peoples’ lives, as those who gratefully receive gifts have told our network of contacts as they’re delivered.

Without your support, these youngsters really would have nothing.

The generosity you show means Cash For Kids can reach a wide network of people throughout north and west Cumbria and south west Scotland.