A Derry dad and daughter are on a mission this Christmas to help children in need.
Gerard Doherty and his daughter Yazim are leading the River Radio Christmas Toy Appeal.
The toy appeal has been a real lifeline for vulnerable children, with the goal to ensure no child in the area goes without this festive season.
Read more: Derry mayor launches this year's Christmas programme
Gerard Doherty spoke to MyDerry about this incredible special campaign.
He said: "The toy appeal started 4 years ago when my daughter Yazmin saw an advert on TV helping kids at Christmas with toys and she said 'can we do that daddy', so as we had the media platform with the radio station we launched the appeal.
"Doing the appeal with Yazmin has been amazing, over the last 4 years, bare in mind she is only 6, I’ve seen how humble, loving and caring she has been. She has taken pride in the appeal each year and always wanting to help more and more people.
"Yazmin is my best friend and daughter and it’s great together we can help others in our community at such a magical time of the year.
"The appeal has 100% brought us closer. Each year we love going to the lock up to arrange toys, going to drop off locations doing collections and it enhances a great bond with us but most importantly it helps people."
Gerard and Yazmin know that this year is a particularly important year for the toy appeal, with many families struggling to cope with the cost of living crisis.
Gerard said: "We have done this appeal during the global pandemic and that was a huge demand on the appeal. Now we have the cost of living crisis which has affected peoples income and outgoings and no kid should miss out in the magic of Christmas due to no fault of their own.
"That’s why it is important, every year we do the appeal to ensure no kid wakes up on Christmas morning without a toy in the northwest."
The team at River Radio know that, despite hardships that the community of Derry and the northwest might face, they will always make time to help others.
Gerard said: "The response from the community has been amazing. We have doubled our drop off points and appeal partners compared to last year.
"As always the local business community, schools and community groups have stood tall with us together as a community collective to ensure no child in our local area misses out on getting a toy this Christmas.
"Toytown Lisnaglevin is our toy partner, city centre drop off location is the Omniplex Cinema Strand Road, plus we have over 20 other associated drop offs northwest wide. All details can be found on our Facebook page River Radio."
River Radio are also nominated for The UK Digital Community Radio Station of The Year Award in the Community Radio Awards. The ceremony is taking place on Saturday and can be watched live.
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