Over 100 coats have been donated to a lifeline Darlington clothing scheme to help keep kids warm this Christmas time as organisers say the response so far has been "incredible". 

Hats, scarves, gloves and plenty of coats have been flooding into the Darlington Cares store at Feethams Car Park just two weeks after The Northern Echo re-launched the Coats for Christmas Campaign in a bid to boost donations on November 18.

Every year as temperatures drop, the team see unprecedented demand for winter items for youngsters and relies fully on donations to help those in need.

Coats donated to Darlington Cares.Coats donated to Darlington Cares. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO) Just a few weeks ago, the team said they were in "desperate" need of winter items to keep going - but now say they have over 100 coats to give away.

Chelsea Johnson, programme officer for Darlington Cares, said: "The donation box at The Dolphin Centre had piles and piles of coats left beside it - it was overflowing.

"It gets emptied twice a day and I've been called multiple times to come and get the donations!

Coats donated to Darlington Cares.Coats donated to Darlington Cares. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO) "We have also been getting a lot of coats donated through the shop - we have had a big influx of them.

"This has all happened since the piece went into The Northern Echo. That's the reason why we've had such a big influx.

She added: "It has just been incredible. Because the temperature outside dropped quite rapidly, we were worried about how we were going to cope with the number of people coming to us for winter coats because we didn't have any at all.

"I was a bit worried that we would have to turn people away because we simply didn't have the stock.

"But since the piece went in we have had so many donations and we won't have to turn anyone away."

Coats donated to Darlington Cares.Coats donated to Darlington Cares. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

This is now the second year of the Coats for Christmas campaign following the roaring success of the first.

Thanks to the readers of The Northern Echo, and people in and around Darlington, hundreds of donations of coats and more were donated to the exchange last Christmas - and this year we're hoping to do the same.

Gavin Foster, Editor of The Northern Echo, added: "I'm thrilled to see the many donations that have been given to Darlington Cares - they are a fantastic organisation that deserve our support.

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"There's still time to head along and give them any items you may no longer need. If you have hats, scarves, gloves or coats that you can donate then please head along to Feethams Car Park or to any of the boxes across town."

Here's a reminder of how you can make a difference. If you or anyone you know has anything that they can donate, you can do so at the donation points below:

  • The Dolphin Centre
  • Cockerton Club (Donation Box)
  • Firthmoor Community Centre
  • Eastbourne Park Community Hub
  • In A Spin Laundry Services