A charity worker is urging parents to swap a plastic stocking filler toy with a postcard this Christmas.

Daisy Russell, who promotes the work of charity Boo across west Dorset, is calling on families to help feed a child, as well as save the environment with the charity's Christmas postcard campaign.

She said: "Two things have become increasingly concerning over the years during Christmas in the UK. The primary issue with the high number of toys produced and the nature of the materials and their construction, the vast majority of these toys cannot be recycled.

"What the Boo charity wants to do is urge parents to eliminate a typical child's stocking filler, the typical plastic toy that's generally unwrapped, popped to one side and eventually thrown in a bin and ends in landfill.

"These toys can vary but can average around £4, which is the equivalent to feeding a child in Kenya for a whole month a stable nutritional diet to avoid starvation, whilst saving the environment."

So what do the children of the UK supporters get to replace that toy?

Those supporting the cause will be given a postcard that can be popped into a child's stocking, thanking them for the donation.

Daisy added: "This isn't just about raising money for funding a food parcel, but also raising awareness in the UK, educating the young children of the UK of the circumstances further afield."

To find out more about the postcards, visit boo-charity.org.uk

Daisy came across the charity through a friend and when she realised it was a zero-admin charity, she wanted to get involved. When Daisy found out she could volunteer in Africa, she booked her flight "straight away" and was welcomed in Nairobi by a "lovely gentleman" called Elisha, staying with his family for the month she was there.

She said: "The aim of Boo is to help children of Africa disadvantaged through economic poverty. We provide help in a variety of ways, including food, shelter, health, education, life-skills and emotional support.

"The overriding ethos of Boo will always be to provide opportunity not charity."

Boo is run by trustees and a team of volunteers which enables it to use all donations on projects which help the children that need it.

To find out more, visit boo-charity.org.uk

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