Gateshead Salvation Army launches Christmas Present Appeal as demand for help increases

The Salvation Army in Gateshead is appealing to members of the public for donations of toys and gifts for its 2023 Christmas Present Appeal.

It comes as bosses are fearing that the charity might not be to able to meet the increased demand for this year.

The appeal is held each year, with the Salvation Army collecting gifts for children aged 0 to 16 so that they be distributed to vulnerable children in the local community.

Last year, the Gateshead Salvation Army donated presents to almost 900 children, which was an increase of 300 children compared to 2021.

As the cost of living crisis continues, the charity is expecting demand to be even higher for 2023.

Community Manager Ann Humes, who helps co-ordinate the Christmas Present Appeal in Gateshead, has expressed her concerns that donations might drop in 2023.

She said: “I have been having sleepless nights about meeting the need this year.

“Gateshead Salvation Army is in an area with very high levels of deprivation and we meet families every day that are in crisis, struggling to put food on the table, in extreme poverty and that have absolutely no wriggle room in their budgets to buy presents for their children.

“Christmas is about spreading joy and happiness and we believe that every child deserves to have something to open on Christmas morning.

"The feedback we get from families and the agencies we work with always warms our hearts as it really does make a difference, not only making children smile but lifting the burden for parents.

“However, this year we are really concerned about whether we will meet the demand. Last year we saw need increase by a third compared to the year before and expect that to happen again.

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"Families who would normally buy an extra gift to drop into us are also really struggling so we do expect donations to drop.

“We are trying to collect donations as early as possible this year so by November when we start to get requests from local schools and agencies we are already in a good position.

"I know that times are tough for everyone at the moment but please if you can spare anything, if you can pick up an extra gift, make a donation to our JustGiving or encourage your workplace to set up a donation point that would help so much."

As well as presents for children, the Salvation Army in Gateshead also collects gifts for vulnerable adults, elderly people and those who live in supported accommodation, as well as food parcels.

Gifts that the Salvation Army can accept include the following:

• Educational toys.
• Baby clothes.
• Bath toys.
• Books.
• Dolls and action figures.
• Sports equipment.
• Clothing.
• Toiletries (non-allergic ingredients are preferred).
• Hair accessories.
• Gift vouchers for older children.

Anyone wishing to donate to The Salvation Army can do so by bringing new unwrapped gifts to The Salvation Army Gateshead Community Church, on Sunderland Road, between 10am and 1.30pm Tuesday to Friday.

Alternatively, the charity can be contacted by phone or email for a specific time and day that is most convenient to you. You can also donate here Gateshead | Facebook | Linktree and here The Salvation Army Gateshead Community Church is fundraising for The Salvation Army (justgiving.com).

For more information, visit: https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/christmas-present-appeal.