You've made Christmas special for needy kids through the Sunderland Echo Toy Appeal

Your response to the Sunderland Echo Toy Appeal – run in partnership with Wearside charity Hope 4 Kidz – has been staggering.

You’ve made sure that over 4,500 youngsters in the area will wake up to a present on Christmas Day, a gift they would otherwise not have received.

Despite a global pandemic and economic uncertainty that goes with it, thousands of you answered the call to buy an extra present and drop them off at collection points all over the area.

Viv Watts, chief executive of Hope 4 Kidz, said: “I wasn’t sure how the Christmas Appeal would work this year but the people of Sunderland have, once again, gone the extra mile to make sure thousands of needy children were not let down.

"We got over 3,000 donations last year. This year, despite COVID-19 and the devastating effect it has had so many people, we have already distributed over 4,700 gifts to refuges, hospices, hospitals, homeless centres, children’s service, youth projects and food banks.

"That's over 30 organisations as well as some individual families.”

She added: “People should be proud of how they have helped Hope 4 Kidz make a huge difference to children and their families in these uncertain times.

"Thank you. We could not have done it without you.

“People who donated presents, stores and businesses have been unbelievably generous in theses difficult times. I am astounded at how everyone has wanted to help.

“These gifts will make a huge difference to those families who may not otherwise be able to celebrate Christmas.”

Gary Oliver, the Echo's Head of Content, said “Every year we appeal to our readers to help those who are less fortunate.

“This year, more than any other, we cannot thank you enough for making the appeal the success that it is.

“At what is still a very difficult time, our readers have dug deep to help those less fortunate an give youngsters something special this Christmas.

"We applaud you all"

Among the groups to benefit from your generosity are Pennywell Food Bank, Together For Children, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation based at Doxford Park, SNYP Southwick, Harbour Support Services and Centre Point.

The appeal also donated gifts to the Great North Children’s Hospital - which treats many children from Sunderland.

The appeal was run in conjunction with the Echo's sister paper – The Shields Gazette.

Gifts also went to South Tyneside Hospital out-reach team, were also distributed through Ashley Primary School, South Shields, and South Tyneside Women’s Refuge

Local companies which pledged their support for the appeal are Barclays Doxford Park call centre; Biz Space; Bunzl; Computershare; EE North Tyneside; Maxim FM; Siemens and the BIC Hub Washington.

Drop off points in the city were at Morrisons at Doxford Park, Sainsbury’s in Fulwell, Silksworth, Wessington Way, and Washington; Wilkinsons, and the Tesco stores at The Bridges and Wheatsheaf.

This year gas network national grid company Northern Gas Networks has also threw its weight behind the appeal by collecting gifts from the drop off points gifts and listing items ready for distribution – along with an army of volunteers.