A popular Christmas gift appeal supporting local children and young people is set to return on 1 November.
The North Northumberland Christmas Appeal is a community project coordinated by the office of David Smith MP and powered by volunteers, local businesses and the generosity of people across the area.
Every gift collected will go to a child or young person, in North Northumberland, affected by challenging circumstances.
From 1 November, anyone who wants to take part can visit an official collection point and pick up a gift tag containing details for a child or young person. They can then buy a suitable gift and return it, unwrapped, to a collection point, ready for volunteers to distribute ahead of Christmas.
The Appeal is also looking for additional businesses and organisations to become collection points in Rothbury and Wooler.
Who is the Appeal for?
Its aim is to make sure every child and young person in North Northumberland has a gift to open on Christmas Day. Whether it’s a family in crisis or facing poverty; or living with a chronic or life-limiting illness, many children and young people could do with some extra kindness. By donating gifts, our community can support these youngsters and let their families know we care.
If you are a parent, carer or healthcare professional requesting a gift for a child or young person, please fill in this form (here). We will do our absolute best to cover all sensible requests, but cannot guarantee specific gifts.
When does the Appeal start?
The Appeal will launch on 1 November, and 30 November is the deadline for donating gifts. Gifts will be collected from participating collection points in the first week of December and distributed before 10 December.
Where are the collection points?
So far, Northern View Berwick, Morpeth Hair and Beauty, Seaside Travel Amble, Specsavers Alnwick, Specsavers Morpeth, Wellway Pharmacy Morpeth, Wellway Pharmacy Pegswood, and Woodhorn Park Care Home have signed up as official collection points.
How can you help?
Could your business or community hub be a drop-off point for gifts? The Appeal will last throughout November, and we need safe places for members of the public to collect a gift tag and leave a gift. Businesses and community hubs are the perfect location and every drop-off point can proudly display an Appeal poster so people know you care.
Would you like to give a gift or support the Appeal? Right now we are preparing to launch, and we would love to hear from anyone who can help. Please get in touch by email, using the button below.
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