A CHRISTIAN centre is urging Halesowen people to help children across the region this festive season by taking part in its Christmas toy appeal.

The Zion Christian Centre has teamed up with two local organisations – Acorns Children’s Hospice and Russell Hall Hospital’s children’s ward – and hope to collect mountains of new and used toys to help give youngsters a Christmas to remember.

Jo Gregory, volunteer coordinator at the centre, said: “As well as enjoying everything the Christmas season brings, we as a church also love to help children and families in our local community at this time of year.

“So we’re asking people to donate either new or used toys which we will give to these two amazing organisations, to help children and their siblings at this time of year.

“Thornfield’s Solicitors in the centre of Halesowen are also supporting our appeal and people can drop toys off at their offices up until Friday, December 9.

“They can also bring them to the Zion reception, during office hours, on the week of December 4, or bring them to our upcoming popular Christmas production.”

The theme of this year’s production, which will take place four times on Saturday, December 10, and Sunday, December 11, is entitled ‘Wonder’.

Jo added: “Last year we had well over 1,000 people to our three performances, so this year we’ve increased to four as we’re expecting even more people to come.

“We’re bringing the wonder of Christmas story alive with an amazing multi-media production involving drama, live music and songs.

“We’ve got over 50 amazing musicians, actors, dancers and a large choir and we are so looking forward to helping people feel the magic of the season through this very special production.”

For more information about Zion Christian Centre’s toy appeal, or to buy tickets for the Christmas production, visit www.zionnetwork.org