CHRISTMAS is known as a season of giving, but Helena Noonan-Barros embraces this spirit of generosity with more gusto than most.

The teenager has collected a garage’s worth of toys to give to children of the Bendigo area whose families might be doing it a bit harder than others this festive season.

The toys will be distributed by the St Vincent de Paul Society, with whom Helena has been doing charity work for about 10 years.

Helena said she wanted to ensure Christmas at least was a time of fun for those families who might be going through a rough patch. 

She said her family had purchased many of the items to be donated, but had also collected donations from the community and corporate supporters.

As well as toys, Helena will also be providing toiletries for donation to families.

She said that while she was working through Vinnies, a Catholic organisation, the gifts would go to any less-privileged families, regardless of religion or background.

There will also be a box of toys at Sacred Heart Cathedral for anyone else struggling to provide a gift for their child.