Six charities joined forces to collect more than 2,000 presents for struggling children this Christmas.

The Dartford Deeds Not Words Foundation worked alongside the other organisations to gather toys which can be given to youngsters.

It has been running for five years and in its first year had the goal of aiming for 40 toys to make sure that no child spent Christmas without a present.

The charities which helped collect the toys were Northfleet-based ellenor, We Are Beams, Mary’s Child, Women’s refuge run by Centra, Home Start and Kent Young Carers.

Dartford Lions Club donated £1,000 to the appeal, Stone Parish Council gave a grant of £250 and Halford’s in Dartford offered discounted on products and donated helmets.

The Orchard Shopping Centre offered the foundation a shop unit on Saturday to help collect and sort all the toys which were received. Organisers Kelly Grehan, 38, and Sarah Crook, 41, were over the moon with the help they got.

Kelly said: “The first year we aimed for 40 toys, with the aim of making sure every child in the refuge has a present at Christmas, but things have grown and it has been amazing. Every year I panic we won’t get enough donations and then we start getting messages from people across the community ranging from schools, churches, toddler groups, offices and shops volunteering to get involved.”

Dartford mayor Cllr David Mote said: “We were invited to the distribution of the toys to the beneficiaries and ended up helping Mary’s Child load so many gifts into the Reverend Andrew Avery’s car.

“I am stunned but not surprised by the generosity of the people of Dartford.

“The Toy Appeal provides a real focus for that festive generosity. I know that there are more toys to come and that many children will now enjoy a wonderful Christmas.”

Organisations which ran collections included The Leigh Academy, Joydens Wood Primary School, Oakfield Academy, St Michaels and All Angels Church, Little Messers Pre School, Babyballers, Fairfield Women’s Institute and North Kent College.