GIFT-WRAPPED presents donated by Swindon solicitors will cheer up the families of terminally-ill children this Christmas.

Royds Withy King Solicitors gave 37 presents to children's hospice Jessie May, which will be delivered to the siblings of those in the charity's care.

All of the children, well and ill, who attend the Jessie May Christmas party in Bristol will receive a present from Santa, but this new initiative focuses specifically on the brothers and sisters in Swindon and Wiltshire families looked after by Jessie May.

Debbie Clark from Jessie May was full of gratitude for the solicitor's generous donation.

She said: "They are always the first to support us, there are so many ways they make a difference, they're the gift that keeps on giving.

"The ethos behind Jessie May is everything we do is for the family as a unit, so by providing the Swindon and Wiltshire families with something a little extra we hope this will show them how very special they are to us

"Our nurse will deliver these ahead of Christmas on their respite visits and to us it’s just like putting our arms around the whole family and saying 'Merry Christmas'."

"This is our first Christmas in Swindon so this is the first time we've done something like this."

Julie Robertson from the private client team at Royds Withy King said: "This is a fantastic charity which is close to our hearts.

"We asked how we could help out and were delighted to be able to make a direct contribution to the children’s Christmas in this way.”

Jessie May is one of Mayor of Swindon Maureen Penny's chosen charities.

Mayor Penny said; "It's wonderful that Royds Withy King collected, wrapped and gift-tagged the presents themselves.

"It's so good that the whole family have been included with this.

"It's easy for the siblings to feel left out sometimes even if they don't mean to feel that way, so this is a great idea.

"It's wonderful."