Generous Northern Echo readers have donated over £2,200 to our Christmas fundraising campaign, Put in a Pound. 

Under a week since the campaign launched, enough money has been raised to give 434 hot meals to older people at their local community centre or to distribute 114 festive food parcels for struggling families. 

Last Wednesday morning (December 7), the Echo asked every reader to ‘put in a pound’ this Christmas to support charities facing unprecedented demand as the cost-of-living crisis hits.

Less than a week later (December 13), more than £2,200 has been donated to our appeal, thanks to your unfaltering kindness and inviolable compassion. 

Read more: Northern Echo launches 'Put in a Pound' campaign to fight poverty

The campaign is supporting the County Durham Community Foundation’s Poverty Hurts initiative, working with local communities and projects to "fight poverty and enrich lives".

With almost two in five children in the North East living below the poverty line, and forecasts showing the situation worsening over the winter,  this kind of support is necessary now more than ever. 

To get more stories direct to your email basket go here

Almost 32,000 local children and young people are being hurt by poverty in and around County Durham.

By donating just £1, you will be supporting families choosing between heating and eating, the elderly at risk of dying in cold homes, children without warm clothes, and many more.

And for each pound donated up to £100k the Foundation will match it with 50p, thanks to the generosity of its existing supporters. This means your £1 donation will be worth £1.50 to great local causes in Durham, Darlington and the Tees Valley, and the work of the Foundation.

Read more: Put in a Pound: Echo readers donate £1,500 within hours of launch

Just £5 could pay for an older person to enjoy a hot meal and friendship in their local community centre, or for warm underwear for a child without.

£10 could buy a new mum living in poverty a pack of baby essentials so she can afford her rent.

Or £30 could pay for a heater for someone in end-of-life-care with a broken boiler to stay warm until a repair is arranged.

You can donate just £1*, or more if you can afford it, through The Northern Echo’s 'Poverty Hurts' fundraising page by following the link below.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

*A small amount from each donation is taken as a processing fee by County Durham Community Foundation's trusted giving platform 'enthuse'.

For example, if you donate £20 plus £5 Gift Aid, 83p will be taken as a processing fee. Due to the Foundation matching donations, your final donation would be £34.17.

Read next:

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to The Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here.