A CAMPAIGN that has made Christmas special for hundreds of children over the past number of years, was launched on Friday at a Tralee toy store.

The Caballs St Vincent de Paul Christmas Toy Campaign ensures needy children in town and beyond are visited by Santa on December 25, but they need your help.

“We get  a wish list from children of three things they would like Santa Claus to bring them,” explained Marian Moore, a volunteer at St Vincent de Paul.

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“We try to get one of the toys from the list for them, with the help of Caballs. What happens is people can come into the shop and buy a €10 gift token which Ann [Laide, of Caballs] puts to one side for us. So the more that people donate to that, the less our bill is.”

“For these children, that is their only gift for Christmas, so we try to get something they actually want. We’ve been doing this for five years and so far it has been 100% successful, thanks to Ann and her staff. They’re brilliant,” said Marian.

Toymaster, whom Caballs are affiliated with, used to hold the campaign nationally every year, but this year they aren’t. So Ann Laide made sure that her store would continue the vital campaign.

“I can’t say enough, how delighted I am to be able to help St Vincent de Paul. They’re such brilliant people and they do such great work. The campaign is so important and  if people could help in any way, we would be so grateful,” said Ann.

And so say all of us. If you can spare a tenner to make a local child’s Christmas wish come true, head down to Caballs.