AN APPEAL which gives out Christmas gifts to families who have fallen on hard times is returning to Pembrokeshire for its ninth year.

Well-known charity Pembrokeshire Action To Combat Hardship (PATCH) is launching its Christmas toy appeal on Friday, October 19, and is now accepting donations of toys and other gifts for children of all ages from families who would otherwise not be able to afford to buy them.

The toy appeal launch/AGM of PATCH takes place from 2pm at Cleddau Community Church Apostolic Centre on Milford Marina.

PATCH's manager Tracy Olin said, "I'm really excited to say that Father Christmas will be with us to help launch our toy appeal. We'll also have some very exciting news about PATCH's quest to fight hunger and hardship in Pembrokeshire.

“Sadly many families here cannot afford to eat or buy gifts for their children. Please come along and be the first to hear all about it.”

PATCH, based at Havens Head Business Park in Milford Haven, relies on generous financial donations. Running the PATCH bases (in Milford Haven, Pembroke Dock, Haverfordwest and Begelly) costs between £4,000 and £5,000 a month.

PATCH has a donation page at: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/donation-web/charity?charityId=1010807&stop_mobi=yes

For more information about PATCH see: patchcharity.org.uk/