Family gives away 24,000 presents in honour of grandma
A BIG- hearted family is giving away 24,000 presents to needy children this Christmas – inspired by a loving grandmother.
Norah Wilkinson always her seven children that it “nice to be nice”.
When her daughter Josie Lovstad, a social worker, told her of children going without at Christmas, the entire family started buying festive gifts for those in need.
At that time – almost 30 years ago – Norah gave her children £ 10 each every year to buy presents for those who otherwise would go without.
The tradition has grown until her grandchildren are now asking their children to do the same.
Norah, of Sunderland, died five years ago aged 92. But her generosity lives on thanks to her daughters Josie, 59, Patricia Imrie, 64, Maria Butt, 51, and their brothers Michael, Pete, Paul and Kieran.
This year presents worth at least £ 250,000 will go to more than 5,000 families. Generous donors, friends and companies, have joined in to give another £ 25,000 in cash and toys.
Scooters, craft sets, board games and toiletries are among the gifts that will be handed out via a schools’ network. Delivered in sacks, the children believe they have “come from Santa”.
Patricia’s daughter Tor ImrieBell, of Boldon, South Tyneside, and sister Sarah have lists of children ready and along with cousins, aunties and uncles are ready to pack the sacks.
She said: “It has been told was absolutely unbelievable this year, we are delighted by the generosity everyone has shown.”
Tor, 35, who works with sister Sophie at their own marketing firm, added: “People are surprised that there are children who would go without on Christmas morning.”
Almost two million children have gone short of food this year, according to a report. The analysis by the Social Market Foundation suggested 14 per cent of children can be classed as suffering “very low food security”.
The power of social media has transformed the operation to provide presents this year.
Around 1.8 million people saw the appeal put out by the family and 3,000 parcels were delivered on the first day alone.
Tor said: “We had an 18- ton
truck to transport the gifts, my dad Ian and uncle Peter, managed the deliveries and logistics which was no easy task.”
She is delighted to have had the support of Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham, for storing and packing the Santa sacks.
Tor said: “Norah’s saying ‘ it’s nice to be nice’ is a very simple one. But its impact this year will be absolutely massive.”