DARLINGTON Borough Council's Giving Tree 2000 Appeal raised £37,000 - £7,000 more than the previous year.
The council said the response to the appeal was tremendous, with even young children donating their pocket money.
Councillor Bill Dixon, council cabinet member for social services, said he was overwhelmed by peoples' generosity.
"Nobody should have less than a wonderful Christmas and once again, thanks to the people of the borough, this has been the case for so many more families," he said
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