Residents across Erewash are being urged to purchase an additional gift with their Christmas shopping this year to donate to the Erewash Museum Community Toy Bank.

Erewash’s award-winning museum is inviting the donation of toys which will then be distributed to local families in need this Christmas.

Last year’s Community Toy Bank was a massive success and saw the much-loved local cultural hub nominated for a national Museums and Heritage Award.

This year people can begin making their donations at the museum near Ilkeston’s Market Place from Thursday 19 October. Toys should be new and unwrapped.

The opportunity to be a secret “Santa” continues until Saturday 25 November. Anyone struggling to afford Christmas gifts for children and young people will be able to collect a toy(s) on Saturday 2 December from the museum.

The museum’s Community Curator Jo Brown said: “Thanks to the generosity of the people of Erewash, last year’s toy bank brought Christmas joy to so many children. We want to once again offer families in need the chance to collect a gift.”

The museum is open Thursdays to Saturdays from 11am to 4pm. In the run-up to Yuletide it will also be hosting a Craftsmas Fair on Friday 24 November to coincide with the switching on of Ilkeston’s festive lights. Check out the Erewash Museum Facebook page for more info – including how to apply for a stall.

Borough councillor Becca Everett, who is Erewash’s Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Community Engagement, said:

“We know the cost-of-living squeeze is having an awful impact across our borough – and nobody wants to think of children not getting a visit from Santa. The toy bank is a fantastic opportunity to show the true spirit of Christmas. I have no doubt the kind-hearted people of Erewash will want to do all they can to bring smiles to the faces of every child here this festive season.”