The Salvation Army Christmas Toy Appeal – backed up by Isle of Man Bank – is now in full swing. Presents have been collected from bank branches throughout the Island and taken to the Army Citadel in Lord Street, Douglas, where volunteers David and Janet Dixon have been kept busy wrapping and labelling the hundreds of toys which have been flooding in. The partnership between the Salvation Army and Isle of Man Bank is aimed at providing Christmas gifts for children who might otherwise have nothing to open on Christmas Day. Members of the public have been asked to consider buying an extra present and leaving it, unwrapped, at any of the Isle of Man Bank’s branches. This year the Salvation Army anticipates that over 1,500 gifts of some kind will be distributed. Toys will be provided for around 350 children together with food parcels, or vouchers, to more than 550 family units. In addition, on Boxing Day, officers and volunteers lay on a Christmas meal for those who might otherwise not receive a Christmas dinner. Salvation Army Captain Carolyn Clampton said: ‘We would like to express our heart-felt appreciation for everything the public does to support our work here, particularly at Christmas-time. We continue to be overwhelmed by the generosity of local businesses and individuals. ‘Often these gifts of toys, money, and time are offered anonymously and we are unable to thank everyone personally. However, we would like to assure the public that every effort is made to help the most vulnerable in our community. We are also grateful to Isle of Man Bank whose staff have been working hard to set-up easy collection points.’ Isle of Man Bank’s Community Investment Manager John Lindon said bank employees had played an even greater part this year as various divisions, and many individuals, had purchased gifts with their own money to swell the number of toys. He added: ‘Our staff – many of whom are parents themselves – couldn’t bear the thought of some children having nothing to open on Christmas Day and decided to take an even more active role in the appeal. ‘We are a community bank and for our part it is a great way of putting something back into local society by supporting such an important initiative as the Salvation Army’s Christmas Toy Appeal.’ * Once the toys have been wrapped they are collected by the various referral agencies, such as social and primary care workers and health visitors, for delivery. ENDS