East-Midlands based Jelson Homes has launched its annual toy appeal designed to brighten up Christmas for children who will be spending the festive period in hospital.

The leading local housebuilder is urging families across the region to support the appeal and help put smiles on the faces of the youngsters by donating brand-new toys* for those between 0-16 years of age. Items such as toy cars, action figures, dolls, books, games, rattles, building blocks as well as plastic instruments, toy tills, dolls houses and shape sorters, are all welcome and will make ideal gifts for the children to open on Christmas Day.

Graham Jelley, sales director for Jelson Homes, said: "As a family business we take our responsibility to local communities very seriously. The toy appeal is our latest initiative designed to give something back; we hope we can bring the children some Christmas cheer and help to make their day special by handing over a super selection of toys and games.

“To put a smile on the face of a child, while in hospital, will be absolutely amazing and that is what our toy appeal is all about. "We would like to urge everyone to please get behind our initiative and donate something, no matter how small. Everything will help and I’m sure will give children feeling unwell a Christmas to remember."

Toys can be placed within dedicated boxes at the following Jelson developments until Wednesday 10 December:

Birstall – Hallam Fields - off Loughborough Road, LE4 3LL Daily, 11am-5pm – 0116 267 7762

• Enderby – St. John’s - off St. John’s Road, LE19 2BR Friday to Monday, 11am-5pm – 07580 201809

• Hinckley – Bramblings - off Kinross Way, LE10 0WF Friday to Monday, 11am-5pm – 07900 687 543

• Loughborough – Grange Vale - off Haddon Way, LE11 2UE Friday to Monday, 11am-5pm – 01509 233077

• Markfield – Farmlands - off London Road, LE67 9UR Friday to Monday, 11am-5pm – 07813 364322

• Peterborough – Fernfields - Cardea, Stanground, PE2 8GR Friday to Monday, 11am-5pm – 01733 302485

• Peterborough – The Pageant - Loch Lomond Way, PE2 6SW Friday to Monday, 11am-5pm – 01733 232473

• Wigston – Bushloe Gardens - off Station Road, LE18 2DN Daily, 11am-5pm – 07939 299777

The gifts will then be delivered to local hospitals by Jelson staff.

*Toys for children aged 0-16 years welcome. Need to be brand new and boxed and ideally with the kite mark for safety. No soft toys thank you.