Daniel Doherty

Story

No kid in our region should be waking up without a gift on Christmas day if we can actually do something about it, it's as simple as that. For whatever reason this happens it is never a kids fault.

I love the North East, I love the people, I love our sense of humour and how we can somehow always find a laugh even from the darkest hours and worst situations, that seems so in-built in us and we do it so well too.

The truth is many people in the North East will be struggling right now to just pay bills and buy food or heat their homes but you might never know it, the chances are it' probably is one of your neighbours.

That's a sad fact of the times, The Teesside area, Middlesbrough and Hartlepool are among the poorest areas in the North East (and nationally) with high rates of child poverty and deprivation. Other areas with high deprivation and poverty levels in the North East include Newcastle Central, Easington, Sunderland, Gateshead, and South Shield this is a very localised problem.

Many families, mams and dads will be worried about how they can get through the month and how they won't be able to afford Christmas presents for their kids, don't judge! This can happen to anyone, any family and it does all the time in our region as many jobs are lost.

Gifts raised via Cash for Kids provided over 2,500 gifts in 2023 and all of those 2,500 gifts and funds have stayed right here in our region and went directly back into our communities.

We'd be most grateful for any donations online or otherwise and can collect from anywhere in the North East.

Up The North :-)