AS Christmas is often a stressful time, the cold is felt most by struggling families.

Hundreds of local children from families in or facing poverty will receive an extra present this Christmas thanks to Company Shop members in Darlington.

Company Shop, a redistribution supermarket, launched the campaign earlier this month to encourage shoppers to donate new toys, gifts and novelty items for children up to 16 by leaving them at a donation station in-store.

Read more: North East foodbank provides free hot meals for the needy on Christmas Day

Hundreds of gifts were donated by members in Company Shop Darlington, which have been distributed through the business’s social enterprise, Community Shop, to people living in some of England’s most deprived communities.

This means children from struggling families can have an extra toy to open on the big day.

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Chris Neil, Company Shop Darlington Store Manager, said: “Christmas is usually a cause for joy and celebration, but for those on the cusp of food poverty it can lead to a great deal of financial hardship as they struggle to balance buying gifts and ensuring they have enough food in the cupboard.

“That’s why we want to say an enormous thank you to our generous members for donating so many wonderful toys and presents, which are sure to help bring a big smile to the faces of many children and families across the region come the big day.”

Read more: Darlington girl puts up with the cold and sleeps in tent in her own back garden

Company Shop on Blackett Road, just off Haughton Road in Darlington, stocks products from major retailers and brands that are in date and perfectly good to eat, use or wear, but are deemed 'surplus' and may have otherwise gone to waste due to reasons such as wonky labelling, seasonal packaging, or overstock.

The store is only open to members; employees and pension recipients of the NHS, care services, emergency services, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) supply chain, British Armed forces, prison services, and registered charities can apply online.

Community Shop is a social enterprise that helps put food on people’s plates.

Its approach helps individuals, families and communities by providing access to deeply discounted food and offering personal development programmes.

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