OUR annual giveaway for children from across the area who have been nominated for an extra Christmas present by their parents, teachers, grandparents or friends was a roaring success.

The children were given their gifts - supplied by the Argus and Woolworths - by a surprise visitor all the way from the North Pole at a party specially arranged at the Woolworths' store in Newport last Thursday.

It may be his busiest time of the year, but Santa Claus turned up in person to hand out the presents and to wish each and every one of our children a very Merry Christmas. Three-year-old Morgan Barrett lost his mother unexpectedly to a brain haemorrhage on March 26 this year.

He now lives with his grandmotherJill Barrett, of Stow Hill, Newport. She said: "The alphabet toy you've given him is lovely because it will teach him his letters and it looks to me as if he's a very happy little fellow.

"He's bright, he's cheerful, he talks about his mum and he knows she's an angel now. He's coping incredibly well.

"He kisses her photograph every day and tells her he loves her and that he knows she's near.

"He remembers her as young and beautiful, so that's good. Christmas will be the same as always this year - the family will be there, it's just that mum won't be." Eleven-year-old Daniel Symonds, of Mendalgief Road, Newport, suffers from neurofibromatosis and epilepsy.

Neurofibromatosis is characterised by tumours along the course of nerves which can be felt under the skin.

His father Derek, 42, said: "He's got a rare genetic disease that only one in 150,000 kids can get. He's nearly 12 now and he's never ever been out alone. "The one time he did, he got lost. He's just grown up like it now and he wants to stay in with us."

Daniel will be celebrating Christmas at home with his mum and dad and his two brothers, Christopher, 13, and Jamie, seven.

Mr Symonds said: "This Christmas is the first year since he was born that the whole family are staying together."

Debbie Nurse, assistant manager of Woolworths in Newport, had organised the party and picked out a lot of the presents.

She said: "It's lovely having them here and I love seeing the kids as well. It's good to see a smile on their face." Six-year-old Thomas Steer, of Liswerry Park Drive, Newport, has already appeared in the Argus.

He has been suffering from leukaemia and undergoing chemotherapy all year. He was enjoying playing with the Action Man we gave him. His grandmother, Barbara Beynon, who nominated him, said: "He's thrilled with his present - he said that was on his Christmas list." And mum Karen added: "He's totally hyper about Christmas and he's just on the brink about Father Christmas - he still believes but he thinks it's a bit weird."

We also gave gifts to: Seven-year-old Jordan Thomas and sister Paige, four, of Somerton Park, Newport, who have been grieving for their baby sister who died three years ago.

Lucinda Michelle Parry, eight, of Ellesmere Court, Pantside, Newbridge, who suffers from epilepsy and temperature fits, a growing deficiency, hearing difficulties, and asthma.

Little Beth Alice Robinson, 21 months, from Woolpitch, Greenmeadow, Cwmbran, who is blind, has only partial hearing and may have to have a brain operation next year.

Seven-year-old Lewis Young, of Elgar Avenue, Alway, Newport, who lost his beloved older brother Jon-Paul in an accident in June 2000.

Two-and-a-half-year-old Antonia Studley and her brother Max, seven, of Stelvio Park Drive, Newport. Antonia has had cystic fibrosis since she was five weeks old and brother Max never complains about being left without his mum when his sister is in hospital.

Wheelchair-bound William Watkins, 15, of Brynwern, Pontypool, who suffers from cerebral palsy.

Joshua Pitt, six, of Clos Durand, Abergavenny who lost his mother in June.

Nine-year-old Amina Begum, of Rugby Road, Newport, who suffers from the rare blood condition thalassaemia and has to be plugged into a machine for treatment for ten hours every night.

Declan Thompson, five, of Fred Edwards Close, Ringland, Newport, suffers from cystic fibrosis and couldn't come to our party because he was in hospital.

Kirsty Anna Roberts, 15, of Llwynon Road, Six Bells, Abertillery, who lost her mother to a brain haemorrhage this year.

Caring Leah Thomas, 14, of Lime Close, Pill, Newport who became her mother Tracey's eyes at the age of two, after Tracey developed diabetes. Tracey died of Non Hogdkins Lymphoma earlier this year.

*PICTURED: Little Anonia Studley is overjoyed with her Sooty puppet.