A popular Christmas appeal run by The Bracknell Times has proved recession-proof with organisers celebrating a "bumper" year of giving.
The generosity of people in Bracknell means this year's Giving Tree Appeal could be the best yet with hundreds of disadvantaged children unwrapping a special gift on Christmas Day.
Gill Mckernan, who coordinates the appeal, said: "It really is a bumper year.
"All the tags are now out on the trees and the deadline for presents to be returned is Thursday, December 19.
"It has gone so well that I have no more tags to put out."
The appeal is designed to make sure children supported by participating charities enjoy a Christmas Day to remember.
Every tag placed on Giving Trees at shops and businesses around Bracknell has the details of a gift selected by a child in need.
Generous shoppers can select a tag, buy the gift and return it unwrapped to the tree.
Mrs Mckernan, who works at Barnardo's High Close School, and her team collect the presents and take them to the charities where they are given to the children to open on Christmas Day or at parties organised by each charity.
This year, children who are supported by Barnardo's/ Young Carers and Barnardo's Fostering and Adoption, Dingley Play Group, Transform Housing, Home Start, ASD Family Help and Berkshire County Blind Society, Wokingham Children's Services will receive Giving Tree gifts.
Helen Sharkey, an early years' practitioner at Dingley Play Centre in Wokingham, said the support of strangers was wonderful.
The centre helps children with additional needs from the Bracknell area from birth to their fifth birthday through specialised play.
She said: "The appeal brings excitement and joy. We have our Christmas party next week and Santa will come and hand out the presents.
"Often the people who have bought the gift will write a tag, and sometimes their own children write it so the present is from a child to a child.
"We have 25 children here who will get a gift but sometimes we are given extra so their siblings can have one too. It is wonderful to think a stranger has taken the time to think of our children."
Shoppers can pick up a tag at Tesco at Martins Heron and at Warfield and also at Zappas in Crowthorne.
All presents must be returned to the stores by Thursday, December 19.
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