A 79-year-old man who has crafted hundreds of wooden toys from his shed for disadvantaged children in his hometown says he is “just doing my bit to help”.
Bill Houghton’s playful creations feature animals like elephants and koalas, as well as small lorries, all of which are made for young people in Wigan.
Local support charity Daffodils Dreams said the toys he donated had made a “huge difference”.
The toymaker said he had to help because he “couldn’t believe how many kids in Wigan have nothing”.
He told Radio Manchester he took a stash of newly-put together toys to the charity every couple of weeks.
“At Christmas, I make absolutely loads,” he said.
Daffodils Dreams provides clothes, bedding, toiletries, and vouchers for activities to some of the most vulnerable families in the town
The charity receives referrals for support through Wigan Council and other agencies.
A spokesman for the charity said Bill’s “continued kindness and generosity” was truly valued.
“They [Daffodils Dreams] were telling me, we had a little lad who come in through a referral a few months ago now,” Bill said.
He said the charity found out it was the three-year-old’s birthday but his family had no money to buy him toys.
“So they gave him four of mine, made up I was,” the toymaker said.
