Middleton Grange Shopping Centre in Hartlepool has collected more than 100,000 gifts for its annual Christmas Giving Tree.
The Giving Tree is an initiative set up by Mark Rycraft to provide gifts for underprivileged children at Christmas.
“Many of the recipients are children who have escaped domestic violence, being forced to flee their homes quickly and leave all possessions behind. Without [the] Giving Tree, these children may not otherwise receive a gift at Christmas.”
The Giving Tree has been operating for a decade in this seaside town but has only just gained popularity as their campaign has, for the first time, become digitalized.
Through their website, users can choose a tag that includes a child’s age, gender, and desired gift. Users then buy the gift and send it to the shopping center where it is sorted by volunteers and sent to a child in need.
Mark Rycraft, manager of Middleton Grange Shopping Centre and founder of the Giving Tree stated how, in previous years, they only delivered around 750 presents a year. This year however, with the Giving Tree going digital, it has allowed people all over the globe to contribute.
He continued: “There are so many young people or those in care who don’t have essentials or a ball to kick around.”
If you want to give a gift this Christmas and help a child in need, click here.
Madeleine Raine
Featured image courtesy of Ben White via Unsplash. This image has in no way been altered. Copyright available here.