A last minute appeal for more benefactors to donate gifts for vulnerable children generated an amazing response and over 2,000 gifts are now on their way.

Although all the gifts listed by the children were pledged by people – prompting the organisers to add more to the list – around 300 people failed to actually deliver the gifts they had promise,

“How can we thank you enough? After a very busy long day, over 450 dreams were either delivered, reconfirmed or made up for by generous sponsors. This is what the Maltese people can come up with when united together,” the organisers said.

Now in its fifth year, the Children’s Dreams campaign publishes the wishes of kids whose families face various social difficulties, or those who are being raised in children’s homes. People can help their carers or guardians make these dreams come true. These children are all followed by the Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS).

From clothing vouchers to educational toys, this year’s wishes included prescription glasses for a 15-year-old, room decorations and a “trendy pencil case” for two 13-year-olds.

Read: Heart-rending appeals in 5th edition of Children's Dreams

The campaign, which follows a similar successful project in Lithuania, was brought over by Lina Pecorella. She is coordinating the Children’s Dreams campaign in Malta in partnership with FSWS. Gifts are sorted at the foundation’s office and given to the children’s social workers.

Each social worker then delivers the gifts to the children by Christmas Day.

The local project was so successful that last year the number of wishes increased by two-thirds – from 1,300 in 2015 to 2,100 in 2016.

Read: Over 2,000 ‘Dreams’ fulfilled

If there are any companies or people who are willing to help out but cannot deliver a gift, donations can be made on the HSBC bank account Appoġġ Children’s Dreams, 023 175730 005.