Pembrokeshire Action to Combat Hardship (PATCH) has been distributing food and clothing parcels to the needy for the past two years from its base in Milford Haven.

Now it's decided to make an extra effort to help families in need this Christmas. Co-ordinator Tracy Olin launched the Christmas Completed project to collect toys and gifts for distribution with the help of Father Christmas and local MPs Simon Hart and Stephen Crabb.

Tracy said: "Last year one mum said to me that she didn't know what to do. Well-meaning people were saying to her children: "If you are good Father Christmas will visit you."

"She was desperate for her children not to think they were naughty, but with Mum and Dad having lost their jobs, money was very tight. With toy donations from Tesco Haverfordwest and Nat West Bank in Milford Haven, we were able to give a donation of toys to this and other needy families.

"This year we'd like to help even more families have a Christmas to remember and we are asking people to donate new and as new toys for boys or girls aged under 17."

South Pembrokeshire MP Simon Hart said: "Tracy and the team at PATCH are doing a brilliant job and will be making a real difference to families in Pembrokeshire this Christmas. "I would urge everyone to pop an extra gift in their basket when they are out present shopping and to drop it off at one of the collection points."

Tesco in Haverfordwest has already donated toys and wrapping paper and the charity is also getting support from South Hook LNG and Radio Pembrokeshire. But the charity also needs financial donations so they can buy gifts for particular age groups if needed.

Tracy added: "We will also need volunteers to sort the toys on December 10th and 11th at our base in the Lighthouse Church in Milford Haven and on December 13th and 14th we need people with vans or large cars to deliver these unwrapped gifts to parents whilst the children are at school."