Age UK North Yorkshire and Darlington

Age UK North Yorkshire and Darlington in partnership with Darlington Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) is launching a heart-warming appeal to brighten up the festive season for older people who face spending Christmas alone.

The charity is asking the public to donate shoeboxes filled with gifts that will be delivered to lonely and isolated older people on Christmas Eve.

Age UK hopes to collect hundreds of gift boxes that contain new and unwrapped items such as warm clothing, toiletries, books, chocolates, and a Christmas card or decoration. The boxes will be wrapped and distributed to the recipients by the charity’s staff and volunteers alongside Darlington PCSOs.

Helen Hunter, CEO of Age UK North Yorkshire & Darlington, said: “Christmas can be a very lonely time for many older people who have no one to share it with.

“Our gift box appeal is a simple way to show them that they are not forgotten and that someone cares. Each box is a gesture of kindness and a message of hope that can make a huge difference to their wellbeing.”

Darlington PCSO Lucy Brown said: “This is such an amazing initiative, and we’d appeal to anyone to help even with a small donation. It’s heart-warming to see what a huge difference a knock on the door with a Christmas gift can make to any older person who is isolated or vulnerable at this time of year.”

The deadline for dropping off the shoeboxes is Monday, 18th December. They can be brought to the charity’s office in Bradbury House, Beaumont Street West, Darlington, between 9 am and 4 pm, Monday to Friday.

For more information, please contact Age UK North Yorkshire and Darlington at enquiries@ageuknyd.org.uk or call 01325 362 832.

MEDIA CONTACT: Marie Carter-Robb at marie@mccommunications.co.uk or call 07760 477694.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Age UK North Yorkshire and Darlington is a nationally registered charity and one of 150 locally based Age UK organisations providing a variety of services to older people aged 50 plus.

Whether it’s through recreational activities, expert information and advice, befriending services or just being somewhere to turn when things get too tough to cope with on your own, Age UK North Yorkshire and Darlington provides crucial companionship, advice and support to thousands of people every year.

Community focused, Age UK is dedicated to enhancing the lives of older people in the community through outreach and social activities as well as providing an invaluable range of social and wellbeing services, including:

• A cafe and restaurant.
• A day centre.
• Exercise & physical activity
• Meals at home
• IT Training courses
• Social activities