Cleckheaton schoolboy’s generous donation of 250 gifts gives a Christmas boost to Batley Salvation Army's Present Appeal

It is the second time Oscar Sheard, 11, from Cleckheaton, has brought festive joy to kids across the region after he donated 200 gifts to Batley Salvation Army last year.

Using his pocket money to get started, Oscar collected toys, dolls, jigsaws, books and much more from friends and family, as well as encouraging school friends to donate too.

Dropping off a car stuffed with gifts at the church and charity, on Bradford Road, last week with his mum Emma and dad Dave, Oscar said: “I think it’s important to do this because there are kids out there who do not have anything to open on Christmas Day, so it’s good to give.

"You believe in the magic of Santa or you are the magic.”

Emma, 43, said Oscar was inspired to spread Christmas joy to children last year after they had an honest conversation about whether Santa exists.

She said: “We chatted about there being two parts to Santa: one where you believe, and the second, when you stop believing but you keep the magic going for those who still do, and Oscar does that by collecting gifts.

“Last year, I was shocked to read how many referrals The Salvation Army had for their appeal and with the cost of living things are not going to be any better this year for a lot of those families.

“You can’t imagine the stress it must put on people.

"When you say to your kids ‘if you’re good Santa will come’, it’s heart-breaking to think that kids might think they haven’t got anything because they’ve been bad.

“You just wish you could do more, but it feels nice to be able to do something.

"On Christmas morning last year we sat talking about the gifts and imagining the children opening presents.

“We’re really proud of Oscar for the way he sympathises with others and how he has talked to his friends about it and encouraged them to donate.

"It’s nice that he is using his own Christmas memories and thinking ‘it’s a shame other kids don’t get that, how can we change that?’.”

Major Paul Wilson, who leads Batley Salvation Army with his wife Major Carolyn, said: “This will help immensely so we are truly thankful to Oscar for his kind donations.

"It means a lot that he is also talking to friends at school and raising awareness within the community. For someone so young to be thinking this way about how to help others, it means a lot.

“Our Christmas Present Appeal provides gifts to hundreds of children each year and it’s thanks to the generosity of members of the public like Oscar and his donors that we are able to meet the need.”

Batley Salvation Army will sort and distribute the gifts to children and families in the area through its networks and via local groups and social services.

For more information or to arrange a donation, visit www.salvationarmy.org.uk/batley