A LOCAL charity is asking people to consider buying an extra Christmas present this year to make the festive season that little bit more special for a local child.

On Monday, Home-Start Malvern Hills is launching its fifth Christmas Gift Appeal, once again calling on the stalwart support of businesses in Barnards Green.

Visitors to Toy Corner and Just So will find small Christmas trees decorated with special gift tags.

Each tag has a name and age for a child supported by the Home-Start scheme.

Gifts, together with the relevant tags, can be returned to the shops taking part or directly to the Home-Start offices, in Upper Chase Road, between 9am-1pm Monday to Thursday.

The scheme will conclude at the Barnards Green Christmas Extravaganza which is due to take place on Saturday, December 8, and the gifts will be passed to their young recipients in time for Christmas.

Scheme manager Jess Bird said: “The Christmas Gift Appeal has become a firm fixture in the area over the past few years.

“We are so pleased that our local traders have agreed to host it again.

“We never fail to be amazed by the generosity of the public when it comes to helping families in our community who need the support of Home-Start.

“Without this support and the hard work of our volunteers the community would be a poorer place.

“It is heartwarming that so many people locally take the time and trouble to consider other families at Christmas.”

Home-Start Malvern Hills is a voluntary organisation providing support, friendship and practical help for families with children under the age of five.

It has been running for 11 years.

During that time it has supported more than 550 families with the help of 220 volunteers.

For further information about its work, or to find out about becoming a volunteer or trustee with Home-Start, call 01684 893125.

Alternatively, you can email homestartmalvern@ btconnect.com.