Leeds man raises over £3,000 to help struggling families with presents and clothes for children this Christmas

After Christmas shopping for his two sons, Jason Stead realised that not all children will be lucky enough to be “spoilt with presents” this year.

The Moortown dad then persuaded his sons to give away some of their old toys to less fortunate children, including a BMX bike that one of them had been given by a customer.

Once the second-hand toys had been gathered, Jason used his building company’s Facebook page to advertise the free-Christmas gifts to those who are struggling and he received a mass of messages from people in need.

Jason said: “I had so many messages from people who are struggling that it got me thinking and made me realise that I could do something more than just donate my sons’ old toys.

“I put out a video and appealed to business people and friends to chuck some money into a pot and once we’d got some together I said I’d go on a spending spree for toys for parents to give their children.”

Jason’s friend is a volunteer and was able to put him in touch with someone who deals with struggling families and once these families had given permission, the builder was able to contact the families directly to tell them he was going to help.

He added: “I got put in touch with around eight families which totalled about 30 children who wouldn’t have otherwise received any presents this Christmas.

“The children range in age from two weeks old to 16-years-old but it was one family that really touched me.

“I expected to just be buying toys for all the children but I asked one set of parents what toys they wanted for their 10-week-old son and they said all they wanted for Christmas was to be able to clothe him.

“They didn’t want the toys, just clothes, and it made me realise how difficult it can be for some parents.”

Jason went to Crown Point Shopping Park with the £3,100 he had raised to buy the toys and clothes requested by each family.

He was delighted that the manager of Smyths Toys Superstores had been kind enough to give him 10 per cent off to allow him to buy even more presents.

Jason plans to hand deliver the gifts to each of the families he is helping this Christmas.