Eggs-tra push for Easter plea
The deadline is looming for Sunderland Echo readers to help make Easter special for needy youngsters.
The Sunderland Echo and Hope 4 Kidz charity’s annual Easter Egg Appeal is already a cracking success – with more than 1,300 eggs already safely delivered.
Every year your generosity helps to provide a little Easter cheer for needy youngsters by buying extra chocolate treats and dropping them off at collection points all over the city.
The deadline for donations this year is Monday , March 29 .
The eggs are distributed to children who are struggling to overcome long-term illness, disability and problems such as poverty and abuse.
This year, because of the Covid-19 crisis, there are more children than ever in refuges, hospitals, homeless units and special needs units
Sunderland charity Hope 4 Kidz, which helps underprivileged children, will be collecting and distributing the eggs in the week leading up to Easter.
Viv Watts, chief executive of the charity, said: "Covid has made this year a very difficult one for everyone and your support at Easter will make a huge difference for those less fortunate families, children with special needs, those in extreme circumstances or in poverty because of the pandemic.
"So far, we have distributed 1,336 eggs to refuges, vulnerable families and children, the homeless and youth and community projects all over the area.”
She added: “This year we are gifting to the children, families and organisations that may not be able to afford or shop for eggs.
"This has been a very hard year for everyone especially for those shielding or who have lost their jobs.
"We still have people on our wish list.
“People and businesses have been incredibly generous so far and, if they can make an extra effort over the weekend, the eggs can all be collected from the drop off points on Monday night and they will be distributed t those in need in time for the Easter weekend.”
Drop off points are at Morrisons Doxford Park; Sainsburys at Fullwell, Silksworth, Washington and Wessington Way, Tesco North and The Bridges; The BIC Hub Washington, Wilkinsons Sunderland and Morrisons in South Shields.