YSGOL Maes y Gwendraeth pupils have collected dozens of toys to help make Christmas fun for those less fortunate than themselves.

The youngsters have supported the county council’s annual Christmas Toybox appeal, which provides gifts and food for hundreds of disadvantaged children and teenagers.

Deputy Leader Councillor Pam Palmer, who launched the Toybox appeal four years ago, said: “We are very grateful to the children at Maes y Gwendraeth for their thoughtfulness and generosity.

“The Christmas Toy Box Appeal is a way of ensuring that the belief in Father Christmas and the magic of Christmas morning is experienced by children in Carmarthenshire, despite poverty and social disadvantage.

“Providing toys for parents and guardians to give to their children on Christmas morning provides significant help and support to families who are struggling to make ends meet.

“Providing for a family at Christmas is expensive and stressful, and many families go without essentials in order to provide for their children.”

The Toybox project helps disadvantaged families and young people by distributing toys and gifts that have been kindly donated by the public.

All toys donated will be redistributed through family centres, the Youth Service, Children’s Services and Carmarthenshire support networks, before Christmas Eve.