A CHESHIRE children's charity needs our readers' help to bring smiles to the faces of ill, disabled and disadvantaged children this Christmas.

The Children's Adventure Farm Trust's Selection Box Appeal will provide a magical Christmas Party experience to in the region of 1,600 children this year.

Its organisers need your help to make their day that little bit more special.

Each child visiting the charity for a party will be treated to a day full of all things festive, including a visit to their Christmas Barn to meet the animals, a disco, party games, a turkey dinner and a visit to the Elves Workshop for festive arts and crafts.

The highlight of their day however will be their visit to Santa when they will each be given a sack full of carefully matched gifts, kindly donated by the charity's supporters.

They'll also be given sweet treats to take home, which is where the charity needs your help.

Last year the charity collected 3,895 boxes through its appeal and would like to beat that figure this year.

Helen Crowther, from CAFT, told Runcorn & Widnes World: "Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a selection box so we are appealing for donations to help them to bring joy to the lives of these amazing children this Christmas.

"It's important that we make it as easy as possible for people to get involved with donating selection boxes, so we’ve set up drop off points across the region, including both Runcorn & Widnes Fire Stations and Fleek Hair & Beauty Salon on Church Street in Runcorn.

"Joining forces with our community is the key to what we’re doing at the Adventure Farm, by working together we can make a huge difference to these wonderful children who deserve the very best memories of Christmas we can give them."

Helen Crowther continued: "With the help of our supporters, we will provide 43 parties, including four each for 150 children, starting on Monday (November 18).

"Each child will be given a bag full of gifts to take away with them, which includes a Selection Box, which is why they are appealing to our readers for help.

"Last year the charity collected 3,895 boxes through their appeal, with 423 being dropped off at one of their drop off points in Halton – and this year we'd like to collect even more!

"Boxes will be given not only to the children visiting CAFT for a Christmas Party, but also to others who aren't able to attend a party so the Christmas joy will be spread throughout our region to a number of schools, community groups and other charities."