A TOY store is making sure Santa reaches little ones who will be spending Christmas in hospital.

Argosy Toys, in London Road, Westcliff, has launched a Christmas toy appeal for Neptune ward, the children’s unit at Southend Hospital.

The store is asking customers to buy a gift for poorly youngsters, to be delivered to the ward in time for Christmas.

Owner Paul Wohl said: “Being in hospital for a child is no fun and even less so at Christmas, so we decided to do something to help raise Christmas spirits and a few smiles over the holiday period.

We are asking customers to buy a toy from in store and ask for it to be donated to Neptune ward.”

Any profit made by the store from the appeal will be donated to the children’s ward in the form of free toys. It will also deliver all the toys free of charge The shop’s festive appeal has already provedamassive hit with local people, who have been incredibly generous with their toy appeal purchases.

The initiative has also had a positive reception from shoppers, including Susan McCloud, from Southend, whose son spent time on Neptune ward.

She said: “What a fab idea. We will be up to donate. My son has spent some time on Neptune, so I will definitely do my bit.”

Mica Day, community fundraiser at the hospital, added: “We’d like to thank Paul and the Argosy Toys’ staff for championing our children’s ward.

“Santa might be Saint Nick, but I think Paul could be our Saint Neptune.”

For Paul and his dedicated staff, all the effort will be worth it when they see the faces of the children when the presents are delivered in the run-up to the big day.

He said: “If we can bring a little joy to children and their families on Christmas Day then we, and everyone who has kindly donated a new toy from the store, has done their job.

“For me, Christmas is very much about children and helping other people.”

The toy appeal is open until Saturday, December 20.