A Blackburn charity has issued a message of thanks after being flooded with generous donations – but the hard work and fundraising isn’t over yet.

Secret Santa is aiming to raise £15,000 as part of its. Christmas appeal.

Each year, Secret Santa aims to deliver a sack full of presents to 1,000 Blackburn with Darwen children who live in poverty or are in need of extra help.

The charity need around 7,000 presents to make this happen.

Since launching the appeal in September, the charity has received many generous donations.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner Ltd and Unison East Lancs Health are some of the teams that have donated £1,000 each.

A 90-year-old woman donated £200 of her birthday money and Brockhall Village Group donated £500.

Rebecca Gallager and Frankie MC walked from Blackburn to Blackpool raising an amazing £2,500.

Managing director, Phil Boulding, said the charity has received some “great support” in recent weeks.

Phil said the charity will still need around £8,000 to reach its goal

He said: “Given the size and scale of the goal we have set ourselves this probably represents around a third of what we need.

“We will probably receive another third in donated toys.

“All of these donations have made a marvellous difference to us and allow us to deliver what we do.”

The charity, which fundraises all year around including for Easter and Eid, said it recognises the support shown by the community.

He said: “We are called Secret Santa because it's not about us. We simply send the vast majority of our sacks to Children's Services, local community centres and the hospital for them to distribute to their families.

“We readily recognise and love the support and love we are shown from our community.”

Phil, who formed the charity in 2017 alongside wife Karen, said: “There is absolutely no way that Secret Santa can complete this Herculean task on our own. This will be our eighth Christmas [organising the appeal].

“With your amazing support, we can do this together.”

Last year, the charity delivered presents to Royal Blackburn Hospital, Ivy Street Community Centre and beyond.

To donate to the fundraiser visit www.justgiving.com and search 'Iʼm raising £15,000 to to help Secret Santa'.