A FREE community concert that is a hit with the older generation took place last week.

The annual event, organised by the News & Star, helps to raise funds for our annual toy appeal.

Staff were on hand collecting for the News and Star’s Christmas Toy Appeal, raising more than £1,000 that will help give disadvantaged children in the area a Christmas to remember.

The community concert, now in its 48th year, hosts two performances with local talent wowing crowds.

The packed-out Sands Centre laughed, cried, and sang-along to timeless hits as nine different acts took to the stage.

In total, £1,141.55 was raised from concert goers.

All money raised will go to the toy appeal, in conjunction with CFM’s Cash for Kids Mission Christmas.

Cash For Kids - run by a team from Carlisle-based radio station CFM - wants to help thousands of children of all ages enjoy the kindness of the festive season.

Last year, a staggering 8,034 children were given gifts. The value of those presents was an amazing £522,015.

Each gift pack delivered to those youngsters averaged £65.

Over the past five years the appeal has helped 33,004 children with £2,145,260 worth of presents.

The money raised at the concert will help buy gifts needed or fund emergency applications that come in.

Katie Jones, charity manager at CFM, said: “The generosity of our community is fantastic.

“Thank you to everyone who attended the concert and for all your kind donations.

“These proceeds will ensure that Cash for Kids can deliver another amazing Mission Christmas and ensure that underprivileged children in our area wake up to the magic of Christmas.”

Final donations to the Mission Christmas festive appeal must be made by December 17.

B&M stores will take donations until January 6 to support any emergency applications.

An appeal has also been launched for gifts for teenagers and babies.

Teenagers and babies are age groups that the Cash for Kids Mission Christmas campaign struggles with each year.

Teams of volunteers are working tirelessly in the warehouse filling bags of presents in time so that no child wakes up on Christmas Day with no gift to unwrap.

When buying a present for the appeal, please think about those aged 13 and over and babies up to 12 months.

Things such as toiletries and gift sets, make-up sets, footballs, socks, jewellery, bags, purses, and stationary are the perfect gift for teenagers.