MORE than 500 children in Pembrokeshire can look forward to unwrapping presents on Christmas Day thanks to the efforts of a local charity.

Pembrokeshire Action To Combat Hardship (PATCH) launched its fifth Christmas Toy Appeal back in October and its volunteers have once again been overwhelmed by the generosity of the people of Pembrokeshire.

Major donations of toys came in from Radio Pembrokeshire’s own Christmas Toy Appeal, as well as from churches, local businesses, schools and individuals from across the county.

As of Monday this week, the charity had received referrals for 560 children and 190 families, and it is still receiving emergency referrals in the week before Christmas.

PATCH co-ordinator Tracy Olin said: “All the volunteers were so moved by people's generosity. We were really upset at times by the heartbreaking stories of why the toys are needed.

“Christmas cancelled became Christmas complete thanks to Pembrokeshire people's incredible generosity in looking after their neighbour.”

She added: “We have had so many volunteers working into the evening in the warehouse kindly donated by Quayside Estates. The Port of Milford Haven also provided a team of volunteers and Valero finished off the sorting for us.

“DWP sent a big team and we had representatives from referral agencies, Barclays, Soroptomists and students from a few schools too. Of course we couldn't do this without our wonderful friends at Frame who have the mammoth task of delivering right up to the borders of our county."

Tracy was also quick to praise the PATCH volunteers who helped sort toys after spending all day working in the charity’s basic banks, which are experiencing their busiest time of the year.

“Patch volunteers will always be my biggest heroes,” she said.

Tracy also made an appeal for donations of sheets and duvets covers, as well as non perishable food items.

She said: “We’re having to give food parcels to last over the Christmas holidays to people we know will not have any money coming in at all."

PATCH can only give food parcels to people who are referred so it can meet genuine need as it arises. The charity will close for the holidays at 2pm on December 22 and re-open on January 5 at 10am.