Dr Mike Taylor, director of Excitim Ltd based in Market Drayton, adapts mainstream toys to enable children with special needs to use them independently and discovered he had a box of toys he no longer needed.

He decided to donate the toys to Shrewsbury-based charity Medic Malawi so the children could have presents they would not have otherwise had.

Stephen Drew, who runs the charity as a volunteer from his home in Belle Vue, said: “Mike and Gloria’s donation of the toys is fantastic and I will ensure they are delivered to the Mtunthama region of Malawi.

“This is a great example of how the people of Shropshire can help make a difference to the people of Mtunthama.

“This year we are asking our supporters to give an Extra Gift at Christmas – for example a Gift of Food costs just £5 and is the equivalent to the cost of food for an orphan for a week.

“Other gifts include £20 for a Healing Gift which will pay for free medicines for the poor, whilst £30 is a Miraculous Gift and will pay for an eye operation to restore someone’s sight.

“These gifts really are life changing and if people could just think about reducing the huge amount of money we spend on presents – many of which are not necessarily needed – then the Extra Gift could make a huge difference to the people of Mtunthama this Christmas.”

Dr Taylor, who is busy adapting toys for children all over the world, said: “I had read about the good work of Medic Malawi and love the fact every penny raised goes direct to the charity – nothing has ever been taken out of the funds to even pay for a stamp which is marvellous.

“I do hope these toys help make their Christmas a little bit more enjoyable and Gloria and I will certainly be thinking about the orphans over the festive season.”