A KIND HEARTED boy has donated dozens of gifts for Southend’s Toy Drive in a bid to make sure no child goes without this year.

Noah Cole, a four-year-old from Westcliff, has donated more than 30 gifts he had collected for the Toy Drive in Southend.

He was met by the elves and the mayor, Kevin Robinson, who surprised him with a special visit from Santa.

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Proud mum, Vikki Cole, 47, said her son is a shy but funny four-year-old. But he is also very sensitive and caring.

She said they had been talking about the situation in Ukraine, and the cost-of-living and how many children may not have much this year in an age-appropriate way to teach him about the importance of being grateful.

Vikki told the Echo: “He then worried about Father Christmas not being able to deliver toys to the children if they had no chimney or own door, so he nominated himself as Santa’s helper and wanted to deliver all the children’s toys.

“With a little help Noah created a wish list, where our lovely friends and family donated some toys to Noah for his aim to be Santa’s helper.

“All the donated gifts have now been donated by Noah to Southend’s Toy Drive.

“I am incredibly proud and was quite emotional when he first suggested it.

“I didn’t realise it would have such an impact on him, and empathetic he could be, because he’s a typical four year old and they don’t understand money and how the world works, nor should any child feel that burden.

“We couldn’t have done it without the really generous donations, as we are in the same situation as many families this year with the rising costs, but he’s told me that giving presents ‘makes us all warm and tickly inside’, so I think he’s learned a great lesson.

“I’m so proud of him.” 

The Toy Drive is an initiative by Southend Council to provide Christmas joy to vulnerable children across the city.

Residents can donate things such as new toys, suitable for babies and boys and girls aged up to 17, vouchers for toys or days out, selection packs, pens, pencils, and colouring books, as well as toiletry sets.

Gifts can be donated to the Civic Centre, and the Forum, or gifts can be purchases from Argosy Toys of Toys N Tuck by Friday, December 16.

If you have any questions, or would like to support the Toy Drive, call 01702 215841 or email toydrive@southend.gov.uk