FATHER Christmas made a flying visit to Pembrokeshire on Friday afternoon to mark the launch of a Christmas toy appeal.

Last year Pembrokeshire Action to Combat Hardship gave toys to more than 500 referred children across the county, and this year looks set to be another busy time for the charity’s volunteer elves.

The launch of the fifth appeal took place at PATCH’s new headquarters at the Haven’s Head Business Park on Friday afternoon. It was attended by supporters of the appeal, including representatives fromThe Port of Milford Haven, NatWest, Valero, Tesco, Asda and Radio Pembrokeshire.

Kevin Hobbs, short sea director at the Port of Milford Haven, said: “PATCH is very important to us. We voted it our charity of the year for 2014.

“The work Tracy and the team do all year around is great, and obviously this Christmas appeal is absolutely fantastic and we are 100% behind it.”

PATCH co-ordinator, Tracy Olin said: “The reason why we do the toy appeal is to stop people from getting into debt at Christmas time, whereas our day to day basics bank is to help those in a crisis.

"In 2009 ago a lady came to us saying Christmas was going to be a struggle, it just so happened that NatWest had a few toys left over from their appeal with Radio Pembrokeshire, so they gave us some for this lady and it meant so much to her. That’s why we started the appeal."

Tracy added: “The generosity of the people of Pembrokeshire is what keeps us going from day to day, but it’s even more incredible at the toy appeal.”

Donations of toys are needed, suitable for 0-18 years, from stocking fillers to family games. The charity also needs wrapping paper, sticky tape and cardboard boxes. The ‘great sort’ will take place between December 10-13 and volunteers are invited to sign up to help. There will also be a collection outside Milford Haven’s Tesco store on November 29.