Join our Easter Egg Appeal and bring joy to thousands of city kids - here's the drop off points
Sunderland Echo readers are being urged to help brighten Easter for thousands of youngsters by supporting our annual Easter Egg Appeal.
Last year, your generosity saw more than 3,100 chocolate eggs – worth over £9,000 – donated in our annual appeal - which is again being run in conjunction with Sunderland-based charity Hope 4 Kidz.
This year's appeal is now under way and we are calling on readers to bring a little cheer for needy youngsters this Easter by buying an extra chocolate egg and dropping them off at collection points in the city.
These will then be collected and distributed by Hope 4 Kidz to organisations which support children who are living with overcome long-term illness, disabilities and problems such as poverty and abuse.
Since the appeal started 15 years ago, over 34,000 children have received Easter eggs, valued at about £110,000.
Hope 4 Kidz chief executive, Viv Watts, said: “People in Sunderland are always amazingly supportive of our annual Easter appeal – and our Christmas toy appeal.
"Just a few months ago, our Christmas appeal saw people and businesses in the area support over 6,000 beneficiaries with toys and gifts worth over £40,000.
“Once again, we are asking for your help.”
She added: “Hope 4 Kidz and the Echo is once again asking for your help to give children who need support a treat this Easter.
"By buying one extra Easter egg and leaving them at drop of points you will be making a real difference to these youngsters.
“Last year, thanks to your generosity, we were able to distribute over 3,110 chocolate eggs.
"We know times are hard for many people at the moment, but it would be amazing if we support more children this year.”
Echo print editor Ian Arkle said: "There is no doubt 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 who need a treat.”
The confirmed drop off points so far this year are:
*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;
*Sainsburys, Silksworth;
*The Hub, Washington
* The Northeast BIC.
The Easter Egg Appeal is being run in conjunction with the Echo’s sister paper, The Shields Gazette, and drop off points in South Tyneside are at:
Café Mio, Sunderland Road; Morrisons, Ocean Road; Natwest Bank, King Street; and The Gym Group, Crossgate.
The appeal is also being supported by a number of local organisations, including Brenntag UK & Ireland, Christ College Academy and Housing 21.
Volunteers from Northern Gas Networks are also providing logistical support.
As we collect the Easter eggs over the coming weeks, we will be distributing to the organisations early.
If you could drop off eggs earlier than the last date – Monday, March 30 – it would be a great help.