A FUNDRAISER has been launched after Christmas presents for disadvantaged children in Wrexham were devastatingly left smoke damaged after a fire. 

Jane Wedley, of the North Wales and North West England Passport Rotary Club, has been helping to organise the annual initiative over the last five years. 

It sees around £2,000 worth of toys and other gifts collected for children in Wrexham from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

The presents were stored at an industrial lock-up unit on Rivulet Road. Last week, a fire ripped through the unit next to where the presents were stored. While the fire thankfully didn't reach the unit itself, sadly many of the presents suffered smoke damage.

"I was called early on Tuesday morning to be told that the unit next door to ours had suffered a catastrophic fire," Jane said.

"I rushed over to the unit and was devastated to find many of the toys had serious smoke damage.

"The smell is overpowering. We have tried cleaning some toys and can remove the soot but not the smell. I'm really worried that local children will not get any presents this Christmas."

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A JustGiving page has been set up to raise money to help replace the damaged presents. It has a target of £2,000 and can be accessed via https://shorturl.at/7l768.

Another person involved in the scheme, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "I have 20 families and 52 children that I get presents for. It's heartbreaking what's happened. 

"It would be devastating for our families not to have presents to open at Christmas.

"If anyone can spare some money to help us replace the damaged gifts, that would be hugely appreciated."