We are spreading festive cheer to two Teesside charities by donating gifts to local people who may not receive gifts this Christmas.
For the past three years we have collected money instead of sending Christmas cards, and this year we raised £250. We have split the money between Teesside Philanthropic Foundation’s shoebox appeal and Cause Christmas Hampers.
The shoebox appeal encourages people to fill boxes with gifts, including toiletries, hats and scarves, socks, and chocolate to be distributed by homelessness charities. Cause Christmas Hampers asks for a food hamper and a small gift for members of a designated family.
Karen Lofts, Client Support Officer (CSO) said: “We were delighted to be able to raise £250 for two worthwhile causes this Christmas, and to provide some lovely gifts for people in the area who might be struggling this Christmas.
“We put together ten boxes for the shoebox appeal, filled with toiletries, socks, gloves and protein bars. We also provided several packets of dog chews, as we didn’t want to forget our four-legged friends who are homeless this Christmas.
CSO Alyson Tullock added “Our family for the Cause Christmas Hamper was a mum, dad, two teenage sons and a young daughter. It was difficult to choose the gifts, as all we know so little about them, so we got them some designer toiletries, and scoured the pre-Christmas sales to get as much as we could in our budget.
“For the food hamper, we’ve bought essential store cupboard items, including longlife milk, soups, tins, pasta and sauces, and added some luxury and Christmas items too, like mince pies and chocolates. We have also made a Christmas Eve box with popcorn, hot chocolate, sweets, Christmas crackers and a family game.”
Karl Pemberton, MD said: “I’m incredibly proud of the whole Active team for coming together to help other Teessiders this Christmas. As patrons of the Teesside Philanthropic Foundation, we wanted to support them, as well as putting a hamper together as we did last year.
“I’d like to say a special thank you to Karen and Rachel (Executive Support Manager) who co-ordinate the collection and buy the gifts. They spend a great deal of thought, time and energy making sure it’s as special as it can be.”
