District 1220 Rotary Clubs and clubs from Inner Wheel District 22 — including the Mansfield and Ashfield areas — teamed up with national children’s charity KidsOut to provide Christmas presents to survivors of domestic violence.

Children living in refuges across the area received a box of new toys and games to enjoy over the festive period.

Rotarians said Christmas was always tough for families living in a refuge, with this Christmas being harder than usual because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Most children arrive at a refuge with only the clothes they are wearing and are restricted to a single room with their mother and siblings.

Thanks to local fundraising efforts, 314 boxes of new toys were provided, with each containing more than £80-worth of toys designed to promote social and educational development and family bonding.

The boxes were packed by KidsOut and distributed straight to the refuges for mums to give to their children in time for Christmas.

“We are so excited to have teamed up with Inner Wheel and Rotary Clubs for our new Rotary Christmas Toy Box initiative,” said Sandra Doherty, head of children’s services at KidsOut.