STAFF at Swindon’s NatWest branch are hoping bankers and neighbouring businesses will help them raise more than just a smile this Christmas.

After the success of the branch’s Easter Egg appeal earlier this year, which saw many residents in the town donate chocolate eggs to be given to needy children, the bank is once again calling on people to dig deep and join their Christmas toy appeal.

They are welcoming donations of toys to be given to the children at the John Edwards Children’s Home.

Associate personal banker Jane Stanley said: “We are really passionate about our community work that we do here. Following our really successful Easter Egg appeal we are really going for it again.

“We were really touched when we visited there with the Easter Eggs, it is something that we feel very strongly about.

“Some of our local businesses have already supported our appeal, with Argos, M&S and The Entertainer all donating toys, which I am truly grateful for.”

Anyone who would like to donate toys to the appeal should leave them unwrapped, and drop them off at the collection point in the branch.

Jane said: “We appreciate it’s a difficult time of year, everyone is feeling the pinch, but if anyone would like to donate we will have our collection point in the bank until December 11.”

She also revealed that staff would also be making their very own personal contribution to the appeal. She said: “We are not going to do a Secret Santa this year like we usually do, instead we are each going to buy a toy and add it to the basket.

“We grabbed the chance to do something again with both hands because we feel so passionately about it and want to make it a success.”