Fire crews' toy collection aims for festive cheer

Daniel McQuillan (pictured in 2023) is leading the drive to fill a fire engine with toys

Firefighters looking to fill a fire engine with toys for children who will spend Christmas in hospital say they hope their efforts "spread a bit of cheer".

Collections are being made at fire stations across Coventry with those behind it looking to take final donations for Birmingham Children's Hospital by 21 December.

Daniel McQuillan, who is leading the collection, said one of his colleagues came up with the idea after his son was treated at the hospital.

"He wanted to do something to give back to the nurses and kids that were there," he said.

Previous years have been so successful that two fire engines have been filled with hundreds of toys.

"It’s lovely to do and it’s great to see the reactions that we get, the kids absolutely love the presents," said Mr McQuillan.

"It’s lovely to just spread a bit of cheer. But it is quite hard as well because some of the kids are really, really poorly."

People are invited to drop off toys at Coventry's central fire station on Radford Road for the hospital in Birmingham and also for the children's ward in Coventry.

Toys can also be donated at the fire stations in Foleshill, Binley and Canley.