Echo readers back Easter Egg Appeal as deadline looms
Sunderland Echo readers are backing our appeal to make Easter special for thousands of needy youngsters.
Thousands of Easter Eggs have already been collected at 15 drop-off points in the city and by local organisations – after we invited readers to buy an extra chocolate treat this year and leave them at collection points to give a little cheer for needy youngsters this Easter
The deadline for donations is Tuesday when they will be collected and distributed – by Sunderland-based charity Hope 4 Kidz – to a range of organisations which support children who are struggling to overcome long-term illness, disabilities and problems such as poverty and abuse.
They will also go to children who find themselves in hospital over the Easter holiday.
Last year, your generosity saw over 3,100 chocolate eggs – worth over £9,000 – donated to our annual appeal and this year, you are doing us proud again.
Hope 4 Kidz chief executive, Viv Watts, said: “People in Sunderland have been amazingly supportive of our appeal over the years.
"Since the appeal started 15 years ago, 34,000 children have received Easter eggs, valued at over £100,000."
She added: “With 15 drop off points in the city this year, we can, once again, make Easter special for thousands of children who desperately need a lift.
"The need is there. We already have over 3,000 wishes to fulfil and many eggs have already been donated and collected but we are calling on people to please buy an extra chocolate egg this weekend and leave them at one of the drop-off points to help put a smile on the face of a youngster who might otherwise get nothing at Easter.”
The appeal is also being supported by a number of local organisations, with donations so far received from Asset 55, Siemens Energy, Poundland at The Gate, and Christ's College.
Volunteers from Norther Gas Networks are also providing logistical support.
The drop off points in the Sunderland area are at:
*Asda Boldon, Grangetown and Washington.
*Barclays Bank, Fawcett Street.
*Hays Travel at The Bridges and Vine Place.
*HSBC, The Bridges.
*Morrisons at Doxford Park and Seaburn.
*Natwest Bank, Fawcett Street.
*Peter Heron Estate Agents.
*Poundland, The Gate.
*Sainsburys, Silksworth.
*The Hub, Washington.
*The Northeast BIC.
The annual Easter Egg Appeal is run in conjunction with the Echo’s sister paper, The Shields Gazette.
Drop off points in South Tyneside are at:
*Café Mio, Sunderland Road.
*Morrisons, Ocean Road.
*Natwest Bank, King Street.
*The Gym Group, Crossgate.
This year’s Easter Egg appeal follows on from the annual Christmas Appeal – in which The Echo also partners with Hope 4 Kidz.
The Christmas Appeal 2025 saw more than 6,000 needy youngster receive toys and gifts to a value of over £40,000.