We ask people to donate new toys

Dianne Boardman learns about the valuable work of Wood Street Mission from Des Lynch.

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THIS Christmas, Manchester's Wood Street Mission will once again be providing some of the city's poorest children with a little joy.

Staff and volunteers will distribute gifts and selection boxes received from donors to parents or guardians of children flagged up as in need of help by schools, health workers and social services.

Wood Street Mission's CEO, Des Lynch, describes the impact at Christmas.

"It is lovely to have a gift at this time of year, especially when a lot of children will be showing off new toys.

"It'll give them something to talk about, too. I can remember having to write an essay on the return to school about what I got for Christmas.

"I don't think they do that so much now, but at least they can join in with their mates." On a side street just off a bustling commercial hub, Wood Street Mission was founded in 1869, the same year as the "Friend".

Initially known as the Manchester and Salford Street Children's Mission, the charity was set up by bookseller, publisher, Methodist lay preacher and father of seven Alfred Alsop.

His aim was to provide basic necessities of life food, shelter and clothing - as he could not bear to watch the appalling levels of poverty on his doorstep Over the years, families benefited from free dinners, clothing, shoes, holidays and day trips.