Tone Leisure is calling on local people to help it fill Santa's sack to the brim with exciting children's Christmas presents, with the aim of spreading some festive cheer amongst recently bereaved local children and their families.

The company will be donating the sack to local charity Jeremiah's Journey, which works with children and families in Plymouth and the surrounding areas.

Jeremiah's Journey provide support to children who have experienced or are anticipating the death of someone special to them.

The charity aims to help children understand and cope with death, as well as informing other professionals on how to help children suffering from bereavement.

Tone Leisure will be placing the sacks in the receptions of Quayside Leisure Centre, South Dartmoor Leisure Centre and Dartmouth Leisure Centre and will be encouraging members and non-members alike to bring in a present.

Joel Chapman, Tone Leisure: "This is a really simple way for you to do something charitable this Christmas."

The presents should be wrapped in Christmas paper, be brand new, be worth £5 or more and should clearly state what they are and which sex and age range they are suitable for. All of the presents need to be in the age range of 5-12 years.

For non-members there is an additional incentive, as from November 1 until December 31 there will be no joining fee for anyone who donates a present to Santa’ s Sack.

Joel Chapman, from Tone Leisure, said: "This is a really simple way for you to do something charitable this Christmas.

"When you are out shopping for all your other Christmas presents just buy one more to put in Santa's Sack! Doing so will help a local child have an even merrier Christmas!

“We have chosen to support Jeremiah’s Journey because of the truly excellent work the charity carries out. If any children deserve some extra festive cheer it’s these children and we are so proud to be able to help.

"This is a cause the staff at Tone Leisure feel very passionately about."

Sarah Wilson, fundraiser at Jeremiah’s Journey, added: "We are so pleased that Tone Leisure is working with us to help collect gifts for local children.

"We are organising a Christmas party for all of the children who have ever used our services so this means that Father Christmas' sack will need to be full to the brim!

"I would just like to say thank you in advance to everyone who brings in gifts!"