A DARLINGTON-BASED appeal for Christmas gifts for children who may not receive one is to continue this year.
Organisers of the Silent Santa appeal had questioned whether to continue to ask for donations for local needy children, given recent difficulties.
The identity of Silent Santa himself is a closely guarded secret. But, speaking on his behalf, helpers Gerald and Ruth Lee said a decision had been taken to launch a 2022 appeal - the seventh of its kind.
Mr Lee said: "Covid, with the sadness and money problems that it brought to so many people throughout the country, made us ask ourselves should we continue with the Silent Santa Appeal when there is so much unhappiness being felt by so many people by the world economy which dominates our daily news?
"Our decision, then, as it is now is to continue with the appeal.
"However many Christmas gifts we receive we know they will bring joy to the children who will receive them. Every year, thanks to the generosity of you all we receive more and more donations with over 500 going to children in 2021."
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Mr Lee said that many who have donated in previous years organise collections from within their own office or workplace and confirmed that everything received is delivered to a local child who would otherwise receive very little for Christmas.
He added: "You will not receive a thank you or a smile or see the face of a child light up when they are handed your gift but we hope that you can feel some joy knowing that your generosity is given in the truest sense of Christmas - giving freely without a response."
Lingfield Point business park has provided an office to store the gifts, which will be delivered by County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Services.
The gifts themselves should be in a shoe box or Christmas carrier bag, sealed with the age and sex of the child who you have bought the gifts for.
The gifts are for children aged between for and 11. Please do not provide anything that contains nuts or is stored in glass.
The gifts can be dropped off at 1 Greenhill Rd, Heighington, DL5 6RN or 34 Duke Street Darlington, DL3 7AQ between the hours of 10am and 4pm.
Fore more information or if you would like the gift to be picked up from you, call Mr Lee on 01325-314622 or 07876-216182 or send an email to gerald.lee@darlington.gov.uk
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