A CARING student says has been “overwhelmed” by donations of advent calendars for needy children on Teesside.

Lauri Cox, a journalism student at Teesside University, originally set out to raise enough money to buy 50 children’s advent calendars but now has more than 500 which she will donate equally to three local charities.

Know Your Money in Middlesbrough, Middlesbrough food bank on Whitehouse Street and Redcar Area Food Bank based at South Bank Baptist Church, will all receive advent calendars to give to local children this Christmas.

Miss Cox, 26, from Acklam in Middlesbrough, started the Facebook and Twitter-based appeal last Wednesday evening when she was talking about it with a friend.

Finlay Cooper, a children’s charity set up by former Middlesbrough footballer Colin Cooper, has already pledged £250 for the appeal.

Pixie’s Diner, a retro-American restaurant on Linthorpe Road in Middlesbrough, has also pledged its support, donating money and acting as a drop off point for the calendars.

Miss Cox, who went to Acklam Grange school in the town, has been moved by how many people have given saying that strangers from Leeds and London have generously donated cash for calendars.

“It’s been overwhelming. I’ve been impressed by the sense of community, especially from those without much themselves. Advent calendars are part of a kid’s Christmas,” she said.

Miss Cox has been busy buying the Christmas presents from local discount stores at £1 a time.

She set up the appeal in memory of her late grandmother who passed away in September.

Her grandmother worked as a social worker across the North-East for more than 30 years and was passionate that every child should receive a present at Christmas, no matter how deprived the family.

Miss Cox said: “She always made sure every child had a present. She absolutely loved children.”

Cash to buy advent calendars may be donated through Paypal at lauri-cox@hotmail.co.uk where she can also be contacted to pick up donations in person. Alternatively, advent calendars or cash may be dropped off at Pixie’s Diner, 176 Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 3RB.

Follow Lauri’s campaign on lauri.cox.7@facebook and lala_cox@twitter