We CAN break £10,000 so Northamptonshire's disadvantaged children can have a special Christmas

"If we break £10,000 we can do so much good in Northamptonshire this Christmas - so let's give it one last big push."

This is the challenge set by Northamptonshire's 'Mother Christmas' Jeanette Walsh, who wants to make sure thousands of disadvantaged families, children and young people have something to open this December.

There are less than 10 days to go to get donations in for the Chronicle & Echo and Northamptonshire Telegraph's annual toy appeal - but already it's been an incredible effort.

In just four weeks, our readers have donated more than £6,800 so children in the county can have something to open on the big day.

But that's just the beginning - because through Gift Aid and the charity work of groups like the West Haddon Endowed Primary School's Expedition to Lapland, that total is in reality sitting at around £8,500.

That means this year's fundraiser is just one more big push away from breaking £10,000 and making a real difference in our county - and we know you can do it.

Donate to the Faraway Children's Charity's JustGiving Page here and support the Chronicle & Echo and Northamptonshire Telegraph's annual toy appeal.

All the money from the fundraiser will be used to buy presents and gifts that will be shared out to Northamptonshire's children, young people and families through the county council's social workers.

Organiser and 'Mother Christmas' Jeanette Walsh, who has been leading the Christmas fundraising work in Northamptonshire for nearly two decades, said: "It's been an absolutely fantastic effort. We've already bought hundreds of gifts and presents to get ready and there's so much more to do.

"I know if we give it one more big push we can make it to £10,000. It would make a really big difference in the lives of the people who need it the most."