The Proski Newcastle Northstars’ toy drive is back for an eighth year!

Thanks to the generous Northstars community, hundreds of toys were donated to the drive last season, which went a long way to putting smiles on the faces of children receiving treatment at John Hunter Hospital.

Each season since 2010 we have asked fans, sponsors, players - anyone - to donate a new toy to the drive and each year the donation buckets have been filled to capacity - then filled again!

All toys donated during the drive are given to the Starlight Foundation which are handed out to the patients of John Hunter Children's Hospital.

The 2018 drive runs August 1 to August 18. That gives you the three home games of the season - against CBR Brave on August 5,  Sydney Bears on August 12 and Adelaide Adrenaline on August 18 - to donate a toy at.

You can also donate toys at Hunter Ice Skating Stadium anytime.

Whether it's books, puzzles, dolls, costumes, trucks or games, for a girl, boy, those aged 0, 5, or 18, all toys are asked to be new so no germs can spread.

Plush toys such as teddy bears will not be accepted as they can accumulate germs over time.

As-new DVDs and console games as acceptable, but asked to be G or PG-rated.

After the drive ends all the donated toys are then delivered by players, the coaching staff and our beloved mascot Marty Moose to John Hunter Children's Hospital.

The toy drive was the idea of 2010 import Chris Belanger.

Noting the need for colouring books, puzzles and toys for patients at the children’s ward, Belanger made it his personal mission to try and raise enough support for one toy for every bed in the ward, a then total of 180.

More than 200 toys were donated.

The following year the North Stars, even without Belanger, decided to continue the toy drive.

Then coach Don Champagne said at the time that he believed it was a great idea and a tradition worth continuing, especially after seeing the looks on the children’s faces when the toys were delivered by players.

This year, anyone who donates a toy to the drive will receive a toy drive badge and member sticker as a token of appreciation.