Care home steps in to help children in need

Care home residents have come together to help children in need this Christmas.

Staff and residents at Ban na tyne Lodge Care Home, on Manor Way, Peterlee, have put together two hampers of goodies for community project Santa’s Wish.

The project was set up three years ago to provide toys, toiletries, pyjamas and food hampers for people and families in and around Peter lee over the festive holiday.

Two hampers were gifted by the care home – one each for a boy and a girl – which include a knit ted doll, handmade Paddington Bear, selection boxes of chocolates, books, and small toys.

Peterlee Mayor Cllr Terry Duffy accepted the donations on behalf of Santa’s Wish, which has received support from Peterlee Town Council and Durham County Council this year.

A jigsaw puzzle was also donated for Mayor Cllr Duffy to use as a raffle prize to raise funds for his chosen charity, Blesma, The Limbless Veterans charity.

Dawn Minto, activities coordinator at Bannatyne Lodge Care Home, said: “We wanted to do our bit to support this year’s Santa’s Wish, as they do a lot to help disadvantaged families in our local area. “Our staff and residents donated items for the hampers and the knitted bear and Paddington were from Knit for Peace UK, which gave loads of knitted items to the residents earlier this month.”

Peter lee Mayor Cllr Terry Duffy said: “I cannot thank Ban na tyne Lodge enough for their continued support in our community events.”