A HALESOWEN estate agent who knows first hand what it's like to be alone at Christmas is spreading a bit of festive cheer to local schoolchildren.

Kind-hearted Aaron Tonks, who runs The Property Guy, will be giving out more than 450 gifts to pupils at Hurst Green Primary School, on Thursday December 16.

The 28-year-old, who runs his business from his home on Narrow Lane, said he doesn't want a single child to go without a gift at Christmas and is staging a Santa's grotto at the school.

Aaron's motivation comes in part from his own difficult childhood which saw him living on his own from the age of 14.

Some Christmases he would have just toast to eat and not a single present.

Aaron, who has turned his life around and is now a successful businessman with his own family, said: "When I was a teenager I lived on my own - at Christmas it was just me.

"I'm also an ex-prison officer so I have seen people at their most vulnerable and people not being able to be with their loved ones.

"To me everyone should have at least one present to open.

"I like to be positive and my motto is putting people before profit.

"I donate 25 per cent of all my profits to charity.

"It's all about making people smile."

Last year Aaron gave out more than 500 gifts to local children in an outdoor grotto due to covid.

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Aaron is now part of a happy family and has a partner, who he is set to marry next year, two step sons aged five and four and a son, aged 18 months.

Gifts have been donated by Aaron and local businesses.

Lapal church choir will be at the school on Narrow Lane as well as an ice cream van and a burger and chip van with these businesses donating 25 per cent of their profits from the day to a charity of the school's choice.

The charity Aaron is currently donating 25 per cent of his profits to is St Mary's Hospice in Birmingham.

Anyone who wants to donate gifts can call Aaron on 07895 685485.

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Pic: Last year's outdoor grotto