Customers and staff at NatWest in Midsomer Norton have been collecting toys which were donated to the Salvation Army last Friday, 11th December, to ensure that more children have something to unwrap on Christmas Day.

The bank decided to take part in the Salvation Army’s appeal to help under-privileged families give their children presents this Christmas.

Customers and staff have been collecting brand new, unopened toys, which were then collected by the Salvation Army, who will distribute them to the appropriate children.

Ranjeet Jones, the Midsomer Norton Branch Manager at NatWest, said: “We picked this appeal to help those families who cannot afford presents for their children.

“It is great knowing that there will be a child receiving a present this Christmas because of the generosity of our customers and the staff here.”

Customers have been donating items from soft toys to play sets and even children have been donating books and toys bought with their pocket money.

Ranjeet continued: “When you have even our youngest customers bringing in things they bought with their pocket money, it is really touching.

“We are amazed by the generosity of our customers. We are all very lucky if we have jobs and homes and we want to give something to those less fortunate and let people know we are thinking of them.”

Staff at the branch also took part in a shoebox appeal for St Mungo’s, the charity which helps homeless people rebuild their lives. Branches in the South West were challenged by their CEO to try and get together a shoebox full of useful items in a week. Within the seven day deadline there were 100 boxes donated from the South West.