children.

Mrs. Sheelagh Cooper of the Coalition of Protection of Children helped to deliver a van load of toys donated by various companies around the Island.

Mrs. Cooper, who allowed The Royal Gazette to accompany her, said the presents were to be delivered to children who were receiving help from the coalition's Institute for Child and Family.

She explained she was delivering them to the homes of those children who did not make it to the Institute's Christmas party.

Some of the children lived in "serious economic circumstances,'' she added.

In one Elliot Street complex a mother lived with her six children in a one-bedroom apartment.

In another unit, a woman and her eight-year-old son have lived without electricity for almost three months.

"These parents are accused of neglect but they want just as much for their children as we do,'' Mrs. Cooper said. "But they have a choice between feeding their children or nurturing them. Usually they end up choosing to feed them.'' She said the some 500 toys had been distributed so far to the needy children.