ALMOST 1000 presents have already been donated to the annual Shuttle Christmas Gift Appeal within a week of launching. 

More than 700 gifts have been collected from Dunelm in Worcester this week.

And with individual donations and some from Tesco, nearly 100 presents have been donated in the first week. 

The appeal, which is run in partnership with charity Home-Start Wyre Forest, asks community members to buy a gift for a local child in need this Christmas.

Gifts can be donated until Sunday, December 1 2024, after which Home-Start Wyre Forest staff and volunteers will deliver them to local families.

The appeal has been running for 20 years and enables presents to be delivered to every child in receipt of Home-Start support across the district at this special time of year. Last year, around 2,500 presents were donated.

Presents can be of any value and for children and young people aged 0-18 years, although it is asked all donations are new and unwrapped.

People can bring their gifts to the confirmed donation points, which include the Swan Centre Management Suite, Midcounties Co-op Franche and Stourport (Post Office and Travel), Franche Community Church (Tuesday and Friday mornings only), Home-Start Offices, New Road, Tesco Stourport and Kidderminster main stores. Wild Violet Hair Salon and Dunelm Worcester.

The appeal is also being supported by local businesses, including Signal Traffic Management and The Astley Cross Inn.