A domestic and commercial cleaning company, with its regional office in a coastal town, has generously handed over 200 toys to the Salvation Army.

Mary Moppins Ltd is a family run, award winning cleaning business with its head office at the Quayside Business Park on School Road, Lowestoft.

Having been established since 2005, the business features eight administration staff and 88 cleaners as they cover the Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth, Diss and Ipswich areas.

Ahead of the office party at the Quayside Business Park, specially invited guests included Waveney MP Peter Aldous as a mince pie, hot drinks and music from the Lowestoft South Salvation Army Band was enjoyed.

Lowestoft Journal: Waveney MP Peter Aldous, Salvation Army Majors Nick and Anita Cotterill, Mary Moppins managing director Alicia Haynes and Kathryn Haynes, operations manager. Picture: Mick HowesWaveney MP Peter Aldous, Salvation Army Majors Nick and Anita Cotterill, Mary Moppins managing director Alicia Haynes and Kathryn Haynes, operations manager. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Managing director Alicia Haynes said: "The toy initiative started three Christmases ago when instead of having an office ‘Secret Santa’ arrangement we decided to donate to charity instead.

"We decided to collect gifts for the Salvation Army 'Be A Star' Appeal to help make a difference to less fortunate local children on Christmas Day.

"In the first year we started quite small as we all bought a toy and gifted about 20.

"Then last year we invited more staff to take part and were able to hand over 100 toys.

"But this year we made it even bigger as we also invited our clients to make donations as well as staff and are delighted that we have doubled that to at least 200."

The toys will now go to "children who are less fortunate" and due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, the Salvation Army are supporting more children than ever.

'Smiling happy children'

Pleased to support the initiative, Waveney MP Peter Aldous said: "Although for me this is the start of Christmas, it is quite clear that Mary Moppins have been preparing for a long, long time and it has evolved into this absolutely fantastic collection of toys.

"There are a lot of challenges out there and this is a way of just remembering those people who are not so fortunate, and the Salvation Army will ensure that the gifts will get to the right people."

Majors Anita and Nick Cotterill, of the Lowestoft Salvation Army Citadel, said: "We are supporting 140 children this year who have been referred to us by social workers and schools.

"We are also making up 61 food parcels for families to go with the toys.

"We are delighted with the collection of toys that Mary Moppins has assembled and are really grateful for their support – which will ensure that there will be smiling happy children on Christmas Day as a result."