AN IPSWICH shopping centre is asking people to help make Christmas a little brighter and buy a gift for children forced to leave home because of domestic violence.

AN IPSWICH shopping centre is asking people to help make Christmas a little brighter and buy a gift for children forced to leave home because of domestic violence.

Tower Ramparts has teamed up with Ipswich Women's Aid charity in answer to a national campaign, called The Giving Tree, which has been endorsed by Esther Rantzen.

Women's Aid refuges all offer a safe home to women and their children who have been forced to leave home because of domestic violence. Often because they are escaping real danger, the children have only a suitcase of bare essentials – no toys, no cherished possessions.

So the Tower Ramparts stepped in put posters up at the centre to encourage people to help.

Centre Manager Mike Sorhaindo, has been delighted with the efforts so far.

He said: "We have been astounded by the support we have had to date with gifts purchased by shoppers in addition to those they had originally come in to buy.

"This means that all the requests for gifts from the local women's refuge have been fulfilled meaning those children can look forward to a brighter Christmas thanks to the generosity of our shoppers. We are all very pleased that we are able to help in a small way.

"The support has been tremendous and everyone has taken to this appeal positively."

Although the immediate wish lists for over 50 children have been completed, further donations, either in toys for the children or gifts for the mothers, will be accepted by the centre.

n The Giving Tree is an idea the ITV programme That's Esther is backing in association with the charity, Women's Aid.