LOCAL radio listeners in the region helped to ensure gifts went to more than 43,000 disadvantaged children this Christmas.

The largest festive toy appeal in the UK, Mission Christmas, is an annual campaign run by the charity Cash for Kids, which aims to give Santa a, “helping hand” getting presents to those in the community who may otherwise go without.

Despite record levels of requests for help this year due to the economic climate, pushing more families into poverty, more children in the North East woke to presents on Christmas morning, thanks to kind donations from local people and listeners to regional local radio station TFM.

Presenter Steve Furnell, half of the Steve and Karen (Oxley) breakfast show, said: “For many of us, being with loved ones was the ultimate Christmas gift this year.

“However, for many families 2021 has been a continuous and devastating financial struggle, with Christmas becoming more of a burden than a celebration.

“We’re so happy then that thanks to the enormous generosity of our listeners, we were able to deliver joy to more than 43,000 children in our communities.”

He added: “We couldn’t have done it without you, thank you!”

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