HIGH street store Dunelm has partnered with grassroots organisations in Darlington to ensure vulnerable people get presents this Christmas in a scheme well received by customers.

Christmas trees with names and ages of vulnerable people have been popping up in stores all across the country for customers to then take and put together a shoebox donation for.

Within one day of the scheme launching in Darlington, the store's tree was empty.

Store manager Glen Boll says this is even more impressive as the store closed due to lockdown.

He thanked his dedicated customers who are picking up a tag with their Click and Collect orders or messaging the Dunelm Darlington community group on Facebook for one specifically – which is how you can get involved too.

The Northern Echo:

The 32-year-old, who was "crying his eyes out" reading a list of vulnerable children at a local refuge who just want one toy for Christmas, said: "It is the first real time I've been exposed to hardship and it was a shock. It is very hard to read messages from kids that just want one toy."

The dad-of-two says it is "unimaginable" to think of his children waking up to nothing on the magical day.

Darlington Dunelm has partnered with a women's refuge, two care homes and an assisted living facility to ensure the borough's vulnerable receive at least one present.

The Northern Echo:

Mr Boll said he will be recycling the tags if all are taken, with the hope people will receive more than one gift.

He said: "Just because someone gave me a list of 50 names to get presents for doesn't mean they will only get 50 presents back. I will absolutely put names back on the tree so people get more than one.

"There is no doubt we will reach the target of helping 150 to 200 people. We can help, so why wouldn't we? Thank you so much to customers that already have."

The Northern Echo:

Customers must drop unwrapped presents off to Dunelm before December 13, where they will then be wrapped by staff.