TWO playgroups and 12 schools have joined a winter campaign that supported more than 400 people in need last year.

Allenton Community Primary School and the Little Poppies Playgroup are among dozens of organisations that will collect food and drink to support Derby Lions Club's Christmas appeal.

The campaign, which is being supported by the Evening Telegraph, invites schoolchildren to donate tins and packets of food to people in need.

Forty-seven primary schools had previously agreed to get involved in the scheme and the latest pledges take the total number of groups involved to 61.

Each will be given a collection box.

Pupils, staff and parents will then fill the boxes throughout November and they will be collected by Derby Lions in the first week of December.

Items collected are sorted into food parcels and distributed to local charities, organisations and individuals over the Christmas period.

Julia Tilley, head of Allenton Community Primary School, said the appeal was being well received by pupils.

She said: "We're doing very well at the moment and the children have brought in a lot of tins already.

"There's nearly enough for a whole boxful.

"We've been involved with the appeal for a number of years now and it forms part of the work the school does for various charities.

"This is a genuine attempt to get the children to appreciate what Christmas is like for others, and both they and their parents never let us down."

More than 400 people received parcels as a result of last year's appeal, when more than 60 schools and groups took part.

This year, causes to benefit from the appeal include the Guinness Trust Housing Association, Rebecca Court Women's Refuge and Jericho House, a project that helps people suffering from drug addiction.

Organisations are usually invited to take part but staff at Little Poppies Playgroup were so impressed by the campaign that, last year, they asked if they could join in.

This year, the group was invited to take part again and manager Bridget Roberts readily agreed.

She said: "We just happened to see their appeal being advertised last year and it looked like a great opportunity to get involved with the community. All the children in the playgroup are aged two to five years old but they still love to bring things in.

"Both the parents and the children are always very enthusiastic and are always happy to give something.

"Last year, we collected five boxes worth of goods and I see no reason why we can't exceed that this Christmas."

Derby Lions members have been running Christmas collections for more than 20 years.

For more information about the collection, or to get involved, call Mr Burke on Derby 573334 or e-mail bribal@ tiscali.co.uk.