Children of southern Cumbria will have a happier Christmas this year, thanks to the generosity of a local accounting firm – and the energy of three members of their team.

A trio of JF Hornby & Co in Ulverston hit the aisles of a department store in Barrow on a toy cart to benefit the Salvation Army Christmas gift appeal.

They were given carte blanche to stack the cart as high as possible by the company’s managing director, Paul Hornby.

Lucy Williamson, a member of the administrative team, was accompanied by her colleagues India McClure and Sarah Woodward.

She said, “We have been doing a cart race for several years now and we have always done it to benefit local food banks.

“This year, we’ve decided to take a slight change of focus and cram as many toys as possible into our cart for local children who come from less fortunate families.

“It has been another incredibly difficult year so we wanted to give back and help a wonderful cause that supports struggling families.

“When we went to drop off the toys at The Salvation Army, we couldn’t believe how much we had been donated. We were blown away by the generosity of the local people. It was truly amazing.

The Salvation Army Christmas Gift Appeal is being held across the UK at hundreds of churches and centers across the organization.

With Christmas Eve almost here, the toys will be distributed by Salvation Army volunteers to ensure, wherever possible, that no child wakes up on Christmas Day with an empty stocking.

Paul Hornby said: “It’s so important that we all do our part when it comes to helping those less fortunate than us and the annual JF Hornby Trolley Dash has become a staple of our journey. festive calendar.

“There has been a slight shift in focus this year. But the underlying principle was the same; to help as many local families as possible with what should be a special time of year.

“I hope we were able to play a small role. We see ourselves as an integral part of the communities we serve as a business and through initiatives like this, as well as through the JF Hornby Foundation, we try to make a positive impact.