Help us deliver a cracking Easter for needy kids

Every year generous readers provide a little Easter cheer for needy youngsters by buying extra chocolate treats and dropping them off at collection points all over the city.

These are then distributed to children who are struggling to overcome long-term illness, disability and problems such as poverty and abuse.

This year, because of the COVID-19 crisis, there are more children than ever in refuges, hospitals, homeless units and special needs units

Sunderland charity Hope 4 Kidz, which helps underprivileged children, will be collecting and distributing the eggs in the week leading up to Easter.

Viv Watts, chief executive of the charity, said: "This year has been difficult for everyone and your support at Easter will make a huge difference for those less fortunate families, children with special needs, in extreme circumstances or in poverty because of the pandemic.

It would be amazing through this difficult time to help make Easter ‘eggstra’ special, as it should be for children.

"We are asking businesses, customers, friends and family for their generosity by buying an Easter Egg to be donated to the charity.

"Our supporting stores have to be drop points for the eggs – and they will all be delivered to the Easter Bunny in time for them to be given to the children on Easter morning.”

She added: “There are so many children who may not receive an egg at Easter. Together, we can change that.”

Gary Oliver, the Echo’s head of content, said: "We are all living in very difficult times at the moment but, just as our readers did for our Christmas appeal, I know the people of Sunderland will do all they can to bring some cheer into the lives of local children.

“We are delighted to once again be part of this appeal. It is a cracking cause and we hope this year’s will be bigger than ever.”

Should you require any further information about the appeal, wish to nominate an organisation to benefit, or make a donation, contact Hope 4 Kidz on 0191 514 2497 or 0781 8023081.

The last day for donations is Tuesday, March 23

Drop off points are at Morrisons Doxford Park; Sainsburys at Fullwell, Silksworth, Washington and Wessington Way, Tesco North and The Bridges; The BIC Hub Washington, Wilkinsons Sunderland and Morrisons in South Shields.

*This year’s Easter appeal follows on from our most successful Christmas present appeal in 13 years.

Hope 4 Kidz distributed over 4,700 toys, selection boxes, toiletries, clothes and gift sets to over 3,500 beneficiaries.

Your generosity helped support the homeless, young carers, hospitals in Sunderland, Newcastle and South Shields and many other organisations around the North East.

It is estimated that the value of gifts was over £30,000. The Trustees and the team at Hope 4 Kidz say they were astounded at the generosity of the public through one of the most difficult times in modern history.