Last chance to make Christmas special for needy kids
This weekend is the last chance for Echo readers to become ‘Secret Santas’ for thousands of needy children this Christmas.
The Echo's annual Christmas Toy Appeal – in partnership with Wearside charity Hope 4 Kidz – is aiming to provide youngsters in the city with a present they would otherwise not get on the big day.
Your gifts are already stacking up – with about 300 already handed out to local charities – after we asked readers to buy just one more Christmas gift while out shopping and leave them at one of the drop off points all over the city.
The last pick up day for the toys is Monday and they will then be distributed by Hope 4 Kidz to charities and organisations which support children – youngsters living with long-term illness, disabilities and problems such as poverty and abuse.
Donations for the appeal, which is now in it’s 12th year, are currently being processed and we are hoping that what is expected to be the busiest shopping weekend of the festive season, will boost the pile of presents.
Hope 4 Kidz chief executive Viv Watts said: "We are very grateful for the fantastic support which people in Sunderland have again shown for the toy appeal.
“We are always astounded by the generosity of people and businesses in the area.”
She added: "If you are not already one of our Secret Santas this year, please buy one extra present this weekend if you can and donate it at one of the drop off points.
“Please help us support as many children as possible to have a smile on Christmas morning.”
Last year Echo readers, along with local stores and businesses, enabled us to distribute over 5,000 gifts to a value of £33,000.
Ian Arkle, print editor of the Sunderland Echo, said: “Every year, our readers stun us with the generosity they show in our annual appeal.
"We appreciate how difficult times are for many people at the moment but we thank you for the wonderful way you have responded this year and hope more people will become Secret Santas this weekend.”
Drop off points for the last collections are at Morrisons Doxford and Sainsburys’ Silksworth, Washington and Wessington Way stores.
The appeal is being run in conjunction with the Echo’s sister paper, the Shields Gazette, and there are also drop-off points in South Tyneside – at
South Shields; Morrisons in Ocean Road, South Shields; .
Please no not to wrap the donations – this will be done before they are handed out.
The appeal is also being supported by local businesses, including Adkins & Cheurfi Recruitment Christ College, GADCAP, Seimens Energy, Housing 21, Bridge Care, AESC Group, Arriva, with more businesses due to drop off present by Friday.