PARENTS are being urged to get their children involved in a ‘detox their toy box’ event in the run up to the festive period by donating unwanted toys to a leading children’s charity.

The appeal encourages the public to donate toys and other festive bric-a-brac to sell in Barnardo’s stores.

Profits raised from the sale of donations at the Clacton branch of Barnardo’s will be used to help support vulnerable children, young people and families across Essex over the Christmas period.

You can donate pre-loved quality toys and games to the Clacton store at Unit Five, Rosemary Road.

Andy Burr, area business manager for Barnardo’s, oversees the running of the Clacton store.

He said: “We sell a lot of toys and games at this time of the year and are really grateful for the generous donations from local people.

“It is amazing what people unearth when they start looking in the back of cupboard and at the bottom of the toy box - it’s a good excuse to have a clear out at home.”

As well as pre-loved quality toys, the charity is also keen to receive donations of unused toys and games, which often prove popular in the run up to Christmas when customers are looking for presents at reasonable prices.

Mr Burr said that unused toiletries that can be used as gifts for teenagers also prove popular in Barnardo’s shops.

He added: “We’d like to thank all of our customers and donors for their continued support, which really does make a difference to so many local children’s lives.”

The shop will also be collecting the usual clothing and accessory donations, which are welcomed all year round.