Rob Yates and Ethan Bamber played Santa after spending time at a Birmingham children’s centre delivering Christmas gifts.
The Bears helped staff at Erdington Children’s Centre, Lakes Road, as part of the BrumWish festive appeal which provides presents for youngsters in care or whose families are in need of support.
Warwickshire Cricket Foundation (WCF) and Edgbaston play an important role in the campaign.
The stadium acts as the central collection point for all gifts where WCF volunteers store and sort them into age categories, before they are distributed to charities and refuges.
And this year kind-hearted people and businesses from across the region donated around 13,000 brand new gifts.
It’s a new record for the annual appeal and will help bring some cheer to children who might otherwise go without a present on Christmas Day.
Warwickshire opener Rob Yates, said: “It’s been great fun and seeing the smiles on the children’s faces is lovely. There are so many gifts here they don’t know where to look, they’re in heaven!
“It’s really nice to help the families out here in Erdington at Christmas and for us to give a bit back to our community.”
Ethan Bamber spent time helping mums and dads choose presents for their children.
He added: “It’s incredibly humbling to be part of. To see the love and kindness of all the staff here, and the big difference they’re making to families.
“We were surrounded by toys that had been donated – and to think this was just a small fraction of the thousands of gifts that have been donated is amazing. People really have been incredibly generous. It’s very special to be part of.”
Kirsty Harper, Family Hub Manager at the children’s centre, added: “We’ve been inundated with presents. We’re so grateful for the BrumWish appeal. One mum has just said how the gifts will help make their Christmas more magical. It’s heartwarming to hear.
“The variety and the quality of the gifts is wonderful. Some of these would have cost quite a bit of money to buy. We’re thankful that so many people have bought an extra gift this Christmas and donated it to the appeal.”
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