An Archant weekly enjoyed a successful end to a Christmas toy appeal campaign for local children.

For more than three decades the Newham Recorder has joined up with local organisation Community Links in a bid to achieve something special.

Just in time for the Recorder’s Christmas edition, the paper reached its target of donations for children’s toys.

Editor Colin Grainger said: “For the last six weeks we really did think that for the first time in 32 years we would fail. Our appeal reached its target just before the final deadline.

“Just in time for Father Christmas to arrive we reached our target of toys for needy children.

“We have collected the equivalent of 13,500 toys for youngsters who need them most.

“Despite the doom and gloom that has hit everywhere this year, we can all really feel good at this special time of year.

“Our appeal in conjunction with a group that is at the very heart of local life in our borough truly does symbolise hope much hope we can take into 2010.”

Other gifts donated to the appeal included gifts and food hampers for senior citizens living alone.

Kevin Jenkins of Community Links said: “It is such a supreme effort from everyone involved and the happiness in the children’s faces makes it all so worthwhile.”