Fantastic response is overwhelming

Crisis, what crisis? During a year of seismic upheaval Echo readers have again shown incredible generosity.

Despite being limited in our movements by the coronavirus pandemic, our annual Christmas

Toy Appeal has received amazing backing from the public.

As we reveal today, more than 1,100 gifts donated by our readers have been distributed across Wearside in time for Christmas. It is a fantastic response given the current situation and one that is not lost on the Wearside charity Hope 4 Kidz which is organising the collection and delivery of these wonderful gifts. Charity chief executive Viv Watts expressed the thanks of everyone involved.

She said: “Once again, the people of Sunderland have been amazing.

"Despite COVID-19 causing havoc with people’s lives, finances and businesses, we have already been able to distributed over of the 1,100 gifts.

“The way the trollies are being filled up at the various drop off points, we should be able to meet all the requests for help we have received from organisations in the area."

But the work goes on… As Christmas looms, we’re asking everyone to give an extra push to ensure youngsters who might otherwise have gone without on Christmas morning, have a day to remember.

We would echo Viv’s final appeal to readers when she says “Please keep supporting the Christmas Appeal and make sure a child is happy instead of sad on Christmas Morning.”

Over to you...