The Little Life Warrior Society was selected as an Operation Santa Claus beneficiary a couple of years ago, and the group used funds received to help build the activity room.

The society is again a beneficiary of the annual holiday appeal and is seeking to extend its services in Hong Kong and on the mainland, where it already has five offices. Macquarie - with the support of the Macquarie Group Foundation, the company's philanthropic arm - is already donating money to Operation Santa Claus this year, but the company wanted to do something extra-special.

'It's good to engage, it's good to come out and see what's going on in the community and to offer something back,' said Paul Scanlon, Macquarie's head of communications in Asia. 'That's why I would say to people: 'Get involved and see what you can do.''

Macquarie strives to become involved in charitable efforts, whether it's mentoring students in Aberdeen, helping out with disabled orphans on the mainland, or rebuilding homes in the Philippines, says Heather Matwejev, the Macquarie Group Foundation's project officer.

About helping to deliver toys this week, Matwejev said: 'It was great to see the joy on the children's faces. Just to bring a little bit of light and joy into the lives of some seriously ill children is so important.'

One of the children to receive a gift was Gigi Mung, who is in the final stage of her treatment after being diagnosed with leukaemia last year.

The seven-year-old selected a box containing a Strawberry Shortcake doll. She looked at her new toy with adoring eyes and said: 'I like it.'

A toy is a form of encouragement for children battling cancer, said Gigi's mother, Tina Mung, 37. The gifts give them hope even though they know they may have to endure painful treatments in the future, she said. With her daughter by her side, Mung said: 'It's a completely new Christmas for us this year. Hopefully, every year.'

Shing also spoke of the power of a toy. 'Toys make them very happy, as you see from their faces. They are smiling. Toys are very important. They can forget their suffering. They can focus on something they like to play with.'

About 200 children in Hong Kong are diagnosed with cancer every year, Shing said. The cure rate is 70 to 80 per cent. Children with cancer 'need to receive treatment for at least six months to two years', he said. After treatment, we 'need to wait and observe for five years before we declare they are cured of the disease'.

Macquarie's Kevin Lee, a sales trader who has been spearheading toy drives for his company for the past few years, said he felt hopeful after seeing the 'strong, tough and happy' children at the hospital.

'When you're donating money, somehow it's so remote,' he said. 'Now we're here. We're here. We actually share the joy with the patients, with the kids.

'It's more than just the charity; it's the sharing of the joy.'

Help make a difference

How you can give

Donate online by credit card at osc.scmp.com

Donations can be made by ATM or at any HSBC branches:

a/c number 502-676299-001 for SCMP CHARITIES LTD - OPERATION SANTA CLAUS

You can donate by cheque, payable to 'SCMP CHARITIES LTD - OPERATION SANTA CLAUS' and mailed to:

Operation Santa Claus, Morning Post Centre, 22 Dai Fat Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, New Territories, HK

Donations of HK$100 or more are tax-deductible. If you'd like a tax receipt, please send the completed donation form and original bank receipt, with your name, address and phone number, to the above address