An urgent appeal is under-way to get festive gifts for families struggling to cover the cost of Christmas.

Sutton’s Times Square Shopping Centre, supported by the Sutton Guardian, has launched a Christmas Appeal in aid of Home Start Sutton – a charity run by volunteers which offers support, friendship and practical help to parents with young children.

The charity is collecting basic food items and children’s toys, which will be given to the many families struggling to cover the cost of Christmas during these difficult times.

The shopping centre is looking for food and festive items, such as tins of ham, turkey, soup or salmon, chocolates, children’s selection boxes, mince pies, small Christmas cakes, fruit drinks, crackers, tea, coffee or crisps to make up special hampers to be distributed at a Home Start Christmas party on December 17. People are also being asked to donate toys and books of any kind.

A Times Square Shopping Centre spokesman said: “Home Start is a local charity and has been running for 25 years. It does a great job helping families who are really struggling.

“Because of the recession families are struggling even more this year so it is more important than ever that people make a donation.

“Most of us take things like coffee and orange squash for granted, but it means a lot to these families.

“We are urging people to simply pick up an extra item or two when they are out doing their weekly shop and put it in one of our donation boxes.”

Last year – the first year the appeal was run – Home Start collected enough items to make 100 hampers to give to families and this year they hope to do even better.”

There will be several donation boxes throughout Times Square, including at Christmas Starts Here, One Stop Toy Shop and next to the Christmas scene outside Laura Ashley. The deadline for donations is December 14.