CHURCHES are being asked to open their doors to a more cuddly congregation this summer.

A campaign has been launched to collect 10,000 cuddly toys by mid-June — toys which will then be sent to children living in war-torn Syria.

The campaign was started by Leominster woman Ellie Targett, who has collected more than 2,500 teddies and soft toys for children in South Africa.

Anni Holden, spokesperson for the Diocese of Hereford and part of Worcestershire, said: “We have been amazed at the number of toys coming in and are sorting a top ten of them as it is not only bears arriving. Currently we have dogs in second place and rabbits in third. We are really pleased with the response so far from our churches and hope we can go a long way to help Ellie to reach 10,000 toys by the middle of June.

“It’s a very simple project for parishes, which just need to put a notice on a large box, bin or basket in their churches, and then invite people to fill it up with clean soft toys. Toys must be in good condition and not have any plastic bits."

The teddies and other toys will be shipped to Northern Syria and will be distributed by the Syria Relief and Development Organisation.

Toys can be donated to local churches or delivered to the Diocesan Offices in Hereford.