As the holidays approach, a North East community has come together to offer support to orphaned Ukrainian children.  

Kathryn Rooney, of Consett, organises a toy appeal across the North East every year, and this year has decided to ensure that no child misses out on the festivities despite the ongoing war in Ukraine. 

Kathryn and her team are eager to provide a Christmas to the children who have lost everything since the conflict began in February - so will be taking some of the donated gifts to a Polish orphanage, where many children who have lost family to the conflict live. 

In previous years, the toy appeal is very successful, attracting support from her community and local businesses, championing underprivileged children from across the North East for the past few years. 

The Northern Echo: The group collects presents from individuals in their community, as well as local businesses. The group collects presents from individuals in their community, as well as local businesses. (Image: Kathryn Rooney)

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With donations slowing down this year - Kathryn is keen to get her appeal out there so that she can continue this annual tradition. 

She said: "We deliver gifts to the kids that are most in need, so we are going to split the gifts we receive this year between the North East and Poland. Several members of the team will be driving to Poland, and we'll be distributing toys to schools and social workers in the North East."

By working with schools, women's refuges and social care, the team can identify children most in need of a little extra Christmas cheer.

Kathryn was keen to point out no one would lose out because of the appeal's committment to donating to Ukraine. 

"This year we have been able to access a bit of extra funding, so even though we will be taking presents to Poland, no northern kids will miss out because we are helping the orhanage - we just wanted to spread what we can do to a wider group of people!"

The extra funding had come from a memorial fund for a young County Durham man who passed away in a motorcycle collision. James Dixon, 18, died in early October after coming off his bike. 

Kathryn said: "At the funeral, the family asked for donations rather than flowers - so we have been able to spend £1,400 on toys in his memory.

"We have put a sticker on the van that will be going to Poland that says 'In memory of James Dixon', which should be a lovely tribute."

In previous years, the appeal has collected enough gifts to distribute to around 300 children, though Kathryn acknowledged that donations are a little slow so far. 

Read more: Cleveland Fire Brigade engines and equipment off to Ukraine

The Northern Echo: Last year's appeal saw hundreds of kids helped. Last year's appeal saw hundreds of kids helped. (Image: Kathryn Rooney)

She said: "With the cost of living, everyone is tightening their belts, and even if they have money, they are hanging onto it in case any unexpected costs come up down the line."

"I really urge people to donate if they can - we have a GoFundMe page set up, and an Amazon wishlist that can be found through our Facebook."

You can find the group on Facebook, under the name "Our Biggest Ever Christmas Toy Appeal."

In the current economic climate, Kathryn has said that it can be very uncertain to run a charity, though she has been heartened by support from her local community and business. 

Proud of her organisation's work to "make kids Christmases", and has plans to continue it for years to come. 

 

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