You've made Christmas special for needy kids

MKM's Mick Sumpter with some of the donated toys.

Hundreds of you responded to the annual Christmas Gift appeal by the Hartlepool Mail and the town’s MKM Building Supplies – sending 500 presents and 100 hampers to needy children and their families.

Your response to the appeal has been staggering.

You’ve made sure that over 500 youngsters in the area will wake up to a present on Christmas Day, a gift they would otherwise not have received.

Gilliam Pattison from St Begas School with some of the presents

Despite a global pandemic and economic uncertainty that goes with it, you answered the call to buy an extra present and dropped them off at MKM, in Burn Road. Hartlepool.

Mick Sumpter, co-owner the firm with Lee Dees, said: "It has been another successful year for the appeal, and I would like to say a a big thank you to all he people and of course the customers of MKM.

"Together we have made such difference in our own town.”

He added: “We have given out over 500 gifts and 100 food hampers to at least 20 organisations in Hartlepool.

"We at MKM are proud to be involved in the appeal, it's a comforting thought to know that the appeal has helped so many families, particularly at such a difficult time!

"I would like to give a special thank you to my colleague Jane Plant, who coordinates the appeal every year – making sure the organisations get what they need.”

Gary Oliver, the Mail's Head of Content, said “Every year we appeal to our readers to help those who are less fortunate.

“This year, more than any other, we cannot thank you enough for making the appeal the success that it is.

“At what is a very difficult time, our readers have dug deep to help those less fortunate an give youngsters something special this Christmas.

"We applaud you all"

Organisations which were helped by the collection include Jesmond School, St Bega School, St Aidens School, West View School, Rift House School, Step Forward Tees Valley, Eskdale School, North East Specialist Theraputic Services, Impact on Tees Valley, Hartlepool MIND, Famalies First, West View Project, Hartlepool Carers, My Time Hubs, the Kilmarnock Centre, Thirteen Group and the Salvation Army vis My Time Hub Ladies.