Mission Christmas easing pressure on East Yorkshire families
Thousands of gifts will be opened on Christmas day thanks to the charity's efforts.
Last updated 22nd Dec 2023
Cash for Kids' Mission Christmas will be putting smiles on the faces of children across East Yorkshire this Christmas.
The annual toy appeal helps thousands of children who are living in poverty across the country and are at risk of waking up without presents to open on Christmas Day.
Alex Hamling, a Bridlington social worker, said: "Often the children and families we work with do need a bit more support so the fact there's something like Mission Christmas whereby all children can get some Christmas presents is amazing because there is such need in this area of the North and the East Riding."
The local community has got behind the appeal - with the Bridlington Leisure Association alone raising over 8,500 - enough to support requests for 777 children in the area.
The need for Christmas gifts has risen locally, as 10,648 applications were made for toys in East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire up to the end of November - compared to 9,784 gifts distributed last year.
Alex Hamling said: "It relieves that pressure and stress on families because we all know how difficult it is living in current society. Children's toys are expensive and the fact we can help all of the families we work with because of Mission Christmas is amazing - it's lovely knowing they'll wake up with something on Christmas Day."
Gift drop-off points are now closed to allow time to distribute donations by Christmas Eve, but you can still donate cash on the Cash for Kids website here.