Festive cheer for young carers
SOME of the city’s youngest carers will be be receiving a visit from Santa Claus’ helpers this year, thanks to the generosity of Sunderland folk.
Sunderland Carers Centre is getting ready to break out its magic sleigh to help deliver hundreds of gifts to young people, whose lives are dedicated to looking after and caring for loved ones.
Nearly 1,000 gifts have been generously donated to the Centre, which will distribute them among young carers and their siblings in the coming week. tre works with children and young people who are living every day in really difficult circumstances as they help support parents who are struggling with their health. So it’s important that everyone who has kindly donated knows that their gifts are making a very real difference to the lives of young people.”
Donations come in from businesses, shops, churches and individuals, with SAFC’s retired players also helping out every year. Other generous sponsors include Hope 4 Kidz, BGL and St Mary’s Church in Sunderland.
Sunderland Carers Service Manager, Lisa Watson, helps organise the annual gift drive. She said: “The retired SAFC footballers have been supporting us for years and the support they for the young people is incredible. We get to see the real impact these presents have on the young people who receive them and it’s unbelievable moving.
“We have over 600 young carers in our system and it’s fantastic to know we receive enough in donations to make sure we can reach as many young carers as possible. However, we estimate there are around 3,000 young carers in similar positions in the city.”
Sunderland Carers Centre has also funded trips for the youngsters to pantomimes and a large group of children were invited along for the grand opening of the Fire Station and Sunderland Christmas Lights switch-on.
Graham added: “We understand the pressure that looking after someone can put on your life, particularly when you’re young. These gifts can have a dramatically positive impact and I’m not exaggerating when I say that they can make someone’s Christmas.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has donated and all the staff who have helped wrap and distribute these gifts – their generosity is making a huge difference to people this Christmas.”