A GIANT mountain of toys was created in Halesowen’s Zion Christian Centre and will be redistributed to children in Acorns Hospice and Russells Hall Hospital’s children’s ward.

This year the Zion Centre’s toy appeal has had a helping hand from businesses in the town, including Thursfields Solicitors, which was a collection point for presents.

Jo Gregory, from the Zion Christian Centre, said: “We really appreciate the support of Thursfields and are looking forward to giving these toys away to local children and families at this Christmas time.”

Leon Evans, lead pastor at Zion Christian Centre, said: "This year as part of our Christmas event 'Wonder' we partnered with Acorns Hospice and Russell's Hall Hospital Children's Ward. As over 1,300 people came to the event they brought well over 1,000 new toys which have been wrapped and will be given to children and their siblings at Christmas.

"Thank you to all of you who gave and helped bring a little 'wonder' into children's lives."

Thursfields solicitors in Halesowen also backed the toy campaign, donating and collecting toys.# Jenny Smith, Thursfields’ head of charity law, said: “Thursfields has been around for the best part of 140 years and has a very long tradition of helping local charities and supporting community events, I’m very happy to say this year is no different”.

“More than any other time of year, Christmas is for giving and our staff enjoy getting involved with our charitable activities.”