The Keel Row, in Seaton Delaval, is helping to fulfil the Christmas wishes of vulnerable children for the sixth year in a row.
Sharon Herron, landlady of the Keel Row, has worked with North Tyneside Council’s Social Services to gather presents for children in the borough who may otherwise not receive anything for Christmas.
She launched the annual Christmas angel appeal in October with hopes of once again bringing some festive cheer to children and young people in North Tyneside.
In the time following the launch, a Christmas tree adorned with paper angels furnished the entrance to the popular pub. Patrons were invited to choose one of the angels, each with the name and age of a child, along with a gift they would like to receive for Christmas written on, and return later to donate a gift-wrapped present.
The appeal benefits children in the borough from birth to age 18, ensuring that everyone is given the chance to experience a little Christmas magic.
This year, over 600 angels were hung on the tree ready to be picked from November – a record for the appeal. Amazingly, all requests were fulfilled, and many more presents were donated beyond those listed on the paper angels.
Sharon saw more than 700 presents returned by her generous customers: with everything from a TV to an electric ride-on car among the incredible donations. North Tyneside Council’s Commissioning team reached out to some of their suppliers who donated an additional 130 gifts to the appeal, taking the total number of donations close to 900.
Sharon was overwhelmed by the kindness of the local people. Despite national cost of living fears and the prospect of facing a tougher festive period, people in the North East once again offered their solidarity and goodwill to those most in need.
She said: “I was a bit worried about launching the appeal this year. People’s gas and electricity costs have gone up with the cost of living and I wasn’t sure whether we’d get as big a response as in other years.
“But I was shocked by the amount of presents we received. All our angels were taken and returned by customers, their generosity surpasses anything we could have imagined.”
The hundreds of presents were delivered to North Tyneside Council by pub staff on Tuesday 13 December, ready to be distributed by Social Services in time for the big day.
Council staff pitched in to help Sharon and her team unload the presents into the building. As the gifts pilled high, many of them were visibly moved by the impactful scene.
Sharon was originally inspired to start the appeal locally after seeing the idea in an American film. Now, in its sixth year, the appeal is continuing to make a difference the borough.
Elected Mayor of North Tyneside, Norma Redfearn CBE, said: “We are so grateful to Sharon and her customers for the continued support and generosity they have shown our Social Services, and the vulnerable children in our community.
“Christmas can be such a magical time, but this is not the experience for every young person. These gifts are helping to bring joy to those who most need it during what may be an otherwise difficult time.
“Thank you to everyone who contributed, your donations are truly invaluable.”
