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With the festive season nearly upon us, Caerphilly County Borough Council has launched its annual Christmas appeal.

Operation Santa aims to provide Christmas presents to children in the borough at risk of not receiving presents.

The children who will receive presents from the appeal have been nominated by their social worker or support organisation, which will then buy the presents for the children and deliver them in time for Christmas.

The council is asking residents to donate cash, which will go towards buying the gifts.

Councillor Elaine Forehead, who is the council’s cabinet member for social care, said: “With the current cost-of-living crisis, it is vital to ensure that all children receive a gift this Christmas.

“Operation Santa is such a worthy cause and can only be achieved through the generous donations from businesses and residents of the borough.

“On behalf of Caerphilly County Borough Council, I would like to thank all of those who have participated in the appeal previously for your donations and continuous support and I know that Operation Santa 2023 will be just as successful as previous years.”

Anyone who would prefer to donate a gift voucher can do so, but the council asks for the value of these to be kept at £10 or below.

The council also asks that donated gift vouchers are not wrapped, but instead placed into an envelope with ‘Operation Santa’ clearly labelled and the value of the voucher written on the envelope.

Unwrapped gift cards can be taken to a collection centre by Thursday November 30.

The council’s online donation page is open until Monday November 27. Alternatively, a donation can be made to the council by emailing operationsanta@caerphilly.gov.uk or calling 01443 866577.