Remember how a fortnight ago, we were all harassing you to get down to Tesco in Haslingden and Asda in Rawtenstall to get involved with the Agapao Toy Appeal? If you heeded the advice of the presenters here at 104.7 Rossendale Radio and were generous enough to donate a gift, firstly, thank you and secondly, we can now tell you where your gift went. 

'All of the toys and gifts that were donated were gathered together and divided by gender and appropriate age group,' says Agapao's Team Leader, Rihanne Flynn. 'We then provide gift wrapping and tags before we deliver the presents to the agencies who then distribute them to families across The Valley. This year I've been overwhelmed by the support and generosity that total strangers have shown to children they will never meet or know, but who otherwise would not have had a single gift this year.'

Agapao International linked with local agencies including Community Solutions Lancashire, HomeStart, Staghills Children's Centre, The Maden Centre, Whitworth Children's Centre and Green Vale Homes, to provide over 680 presents to 137 children from 71 families across Rossendale Valley.

'On behalf of all the children and families across Rossendale who have benefitted, we would like to thank everyone who has contributed and supported the 2011 Christmas Toy Appeal,' says Louise Chicot, Agapao's manager. 'We have been inundated with donations, both from our appeals in Tesco and Asda and from people coming to our offices and putting presents under the tree. It is amazing and very inspirational when you see strangers who will donate their own time and money to ensure that no child will spend this Christmas without a gift. In a world where we apparently communicate less with our neighbours and communities, seeing this level of genorosity first-hand was a very humbling experience.'

'Despite the current financial climate, Home Start Rossendale have continued to receive monies and gifts from local agencies, and would like to pass on their heartfelt thanks. The local community has been very generous with donations of toys to Agapao, and the families and children we supoort will benefit greatly,' says Alison Mather from Home Start Rossendale. 'A big thank you to Louise and her team for making this possible; we have had one parent in tears as she was so overwhelmed with the gifts she received for her children. Unfortunately she has been unable to buy many presents this year due to financial constraints and illness, and she was so grateful to the strangers who had given toys for her children to open on Christmas Day. A big thank you to anyone who contributed to this worthwhile cause; you have helped to make a number of children happy this Christmas.'

'I can't begin to say thank you enough for all the amazing toys- the families we are helping will be so grateful for all your efforts,' says Mark Hirst from Community Solutions Lancashire. 'Some of the children were getting nothing for Christmas- now we are able to create memories. Thank you!'

'This is fantastic! Our families benefitted last year, but this is overwhelming!' Says Rachel Ferguson from Staghills Children's Centre. This will make such a difference to the children this year. Thank you!'

Agapao linked with local agencies including Community Solutions Lancashire, Home Start Rossendale, Staghills Children's Centre, The Maden Centre, Whitworth Children's Centre and Green Vale Homes to provide over 680 presents to 137 children from 71 families across Rossendale Valley.

The remaining donations, which is approximately 200+ toys on our last count, will be split between Tor View Special School, Stepping Stones Nursery for Children with Special Needs, Balladen Children's Centre, The Star Centre and Manchester Children's Hospital.

We hope you've got a lovely warm fuzzy feeling inside now- that moment of generosity by you has made a world of difference to a local child who through no fault of their own would have otherwise spent Christmas without presents. And when you're a kid- presents are the best part of Christmas. You have created a memory for a child today that you'll never meet- and everyone involved is eternally grateful. Thank you.