CHILDREN are spreading Christmas cheer by working hard to provide 400 festive hampers for less fortunate families on Teesside.

Packs of food and gifts are tailor-made, depending on the number and age of youngsters in the household.

Yesterday, an assembly at Newlands Catholic School, Saltersgill Avenue, Middlesbrough, marked the launch of the 15th annual Cause hamper campaign.

Appeal co-ordinator Pat MacBride said: "Families are nominated through social services, health visitors and schools and each class is given a specific recipient for their hamper.

"Families remain anonymous but the pupils are given brief details such as the number of children in the family and their age and sex.

"This makes collecting gifts and goodies for the hamper extra special as they can do so with a particular family in mind."

It started in 1987 to give 25 Middlesbrough families a brighter Christmas but, over the years, it has grown, with 11 primary and secondary schools now aiming to reach 400 homes.

Fundraising is under way with events such as car washing, cake stalls and a cafe to help raise funds.

Year nine pupil James Pillar used his initiative by contacting local businesses to get a signed pair of Middlesbrough Football Club shorts to raffle.

This year, an extra 40 nominations have been received for young people aged 17 to 21 who have recently left care.

Many have little or no contact with their families and Christmas can be especially difficult for them.

The hampers will be made up by December 12 and will be delivered by members of the Unemployed Action Group.