A THRUPP mum-of-two hopes people will put an extra Christmas present on their list for the charity that inspires her son.

Tiffanie (CORR) Smith, 40, says the toy library at Allsorts makes a big difference in helping Alfie, two, reach his developmental milestones.

Tiffanie and husband Steve, 46, were told Alfie had Down’s syndrome when he was 12 days old.

Their health visitor told them about the Stroud-based charity which supports Gloucestershire families who have children with disabilities and additional needs.

Ever since Alfie was tiny Allsorts has recommended toys and equipment that encourage him to make that next step with his development.

“Alfie was on oxygen for a while and to encourage him to get stronger we needed toys to inspire him to lift his head, or push up on his arms, or kneel up and more recently to develop his finer movement skills and communicate,” Tiffanie says.

Allsorts has created a ‘wish list’ of sensory toys and practical items it needs on the online shop Amazon.

Well-wishers can buy a Christmas present from as little as £3 to help the charity continue.

Although some specialist toys can be a few pounds, others cost up to £70 and Tiffanie says that’s prohibitive if money is tight because a parent has had to stop working, as she did, to better support their family.

And as Alfie’s needs change, the expensive toy that was essential for development earlier in the year is now redundant.

Tiffanie says: “Some toys and equipment can be horrifically expensive and we don’t always know if they are going to inspire Alfie but we can borrow something from the Allsorts toy library for just 50 pence a month, when Alfie has made good use of it we change it and know that toy will go on to inspire another child to learn and achieve.”

Alfie is also learning sign language to help him communicate and the library lends him flash cards and DVDs that use Makaton sign language.

Alfie's latest borrow from the library is a large, safe mirror so he can see the shapes he is making with his mouth or hands when Tiffanie and Steve are encouraging him to speak or sign.

The inclusive charity also allows his four-year-old sister, Nancy, to choose toys.

“Clare, who runs the toy library, is an excellent source of advice and support plus the warm reception and chance to meet other parents and children is great.”

“The toy library has been so valuable for us and the Amazon wish list is a good way for people to buy something that is really needed to help local children with disabilities.”

Gifts purchased from the Amazon wish list will be delivered directly to the charity.

Go to allsortsglos.org.uk and click onto ‘news’ to find the website link, then search ‘Allsorts Gloucestershire’ for the wish list.

Visit Allsorts Gloucestershire on Facebook.