WATCH: 'Everyone was in tears': Sunderland gran and granddaughter pay the bills for people's Xmas shopping
Meet the Sunderland grandmother and her granddaughter who might just be the biggest Christmas heroes on Wearside.
Maureen Thompson and her 10-year-old granddaughter Allana spent the day at Doxford Park.
In memory of her husband Allan
The incredibly heart warming story can today be shared by the Sunderland Echo who has followed Maureen’s story for years.
She has spent the last 25 years raising money for North East children.
Allan was well known as the Ryhope CW Football Club manager and Maureen vowed to keep up the charity work in his memory.
This year’s charity night - at the Alexandra Steakhouse in Grangetown - was a huge success
Maureen told us: “After helping the families I had some money left and I asked my granddaughter Allana who suggested we go pay for some people's shopping.
One of many amazing donations by Maureen
“Everyone was in tears. What an amazing feeling it was and Allana has experienced first hand the end result of all the hard work raising funds.”
The pair paid out around £500 to help the people of Sunderland and it is just the latest gesture of generosity by Maureen.
She has gathered in tens of thousands of pounds ever since her husband Allan died and helped numerous children across the region.