Christmas cheer all round...

They say Christmas is the time of goodwill to all, and in our community we’re more than living up to that billing.

On Christmas Eve we reported how our Toy Appeal was a record breaker with more than 4,000 gifts winging their way disabled and disadvantaged youngsters across the region. Today, that generosity continues to shine and it’s the youngsters spreading the joy.

As we report today, Hill View Infant Academy has been working with the food bank in Burdon Road to ensure refugee families have a Christmas filled with kindness and cheer.

The words of Karen Ridley should resonate with the surrounding community.

She said: “I think it’s important we think about those who have less than us, especially when it’s in your own community.

“People think about refugees being in far away places, but that’s not the case and they are our neighbours here in Sunderland.”

It’s a great lesson for the children to learn and it certainly looks like they responded. But the generosity doesn’t end there.

Staff and pupils at Hetton School have been working with the aptly named Loaves and Fishes food bank to help the needy.

More than 1,000 items were donated to the cause and were being dished out to those in need over Christmas.

And all this despite 44% of students at the school being classified as disadvantaged!

Amran Suleman, from the school said: “The response has been exceptional – considering the nature of our students, the donations have exceeded our expectations.”

It’s a goodwill gesture that has been repeated throughout our community. Well done Everyone.