A BIG HEARTED courier is aiming to deliver some Christmas cheer in Renfrewshire this year- by collecting toys for children from broken families.

Kenny McGrogan, 30, was so affected by the number of kids living in Women's Aid shelters over Christmas that he decided to do something about it.

And last year Kenny's efforts were backed by the great Renfrewshire public, so much so that he was forced to rent a container to store the hundreds of toys he'd collected.

Now he's asking people in Paisley, Renfrewshire and beyond to rally to his cause once again- and make Christmas morning that little bit brighter for youngsters.

Kenny, from Johnstone, takes up the story: "It really started when a customer contacted us to deliver to her but asked if I could send a female driver as she was in temporary accommodation with her kids.

"It really hit me then that some women just have to get up and leave with nothing, so I thought about what I could do to try and make Christmas day as normal as I could for the kids. We also sent a nice bath set gift for most of the mums too.

"The response I got was far greater than I thought it would ever be. I had people phoning me up on a daily basis wanting to donate stuff, not just friends but people from all walks of life who just wanted to do their bit.

"One thing I learned was the Renfrewshire people will always be there when it comes to helping their own community."

Kenny's Christmas toys appeal took time to establish but he received great backing from his work colleagues, as well as his partner Rachel.

Kenny, who is dad of three to Tyler 8, Aurla 3, and five month old Dara, said: "It took months to bring it all together but I couldn't have done it without the help of my drivers. They were going far and wide to collect stuff from people who had contacted me or the business page.

"I started storing toys in my spare room but after three weeks had to go and rent a container for the rest of the year!

"Some drivers took presents away with them each night to wrap and others came to my house after their shifts and sat wrapping it all up until the small hours.

"Once all complete me and my partner Rachel delivered it to the women's aid office. It took a couple of runs in the van but was well worth it."

This year's appeal is somewhat different in that Kenny hopes to receive gift bag donations, as he explained: "The more we can get it out there then the better it is but I have not set any targets this year for what I hope to achieve.

"At the end of the day people will give what they can afford and anything is better than nothing.

"I have changed it slightly this year and asked people to fill a gift bag with certain items to suit both boys and girls.

"I have a great team of staff and friends around me so we will all chip in again this year and do whatever it takes to put a smile on the kids' faces.

"I thought about the kind of things that kids can get hours of fun out off but all for small money, things like a football, colouring in packs, books, tubes of bubbles, skipping ropes and anything else, really.

"Also I've asked everyone to stick a wee sweet selection pack in each bag because let's face it, what kid won't love a wee bit of chocolate at Christmas."

Self employed Kenny runs a courier firm, which involves delivering parcels all over the UK and he hopes the public can also go that extra mile for this year's appeal.

He said: "Last year was the first appeal I have done but long may they continue. I couldn't do any of it without the support I get.

"But I would say to people just spare a thought for the kids all around us with nothing.

"People think poverty is a thing of the past but it is happening only streets away from us all and such a small effort from us can really give those kids a chance to just enjoy their day same as the rest of us.

"If I can make one child smile on Christmas morning then it's job done for me."

Kenny wants to recruit 100 local people willing to commit to making up one gift bag.

Here is an idea of what Kenny has in mind: Giftbag (£1), Selection box (£1), Football (£3), Colouring in pack (£3), Book (£2), Big tube of bubbles (£1), Small gift of your choice (£5), Skipping ropes (£3).

If you think you can help Kenny or want to volunteer your services e-mail kennymcgrogan@hotmail.co.uk or send him a personal message via Facebook.