How You Can Support North East Charities Helping Others This Christmas
Give a gift that matters
Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care
daftasabrush.org.uk
Based in: Gosforth
What they do: They specialise in transporting cancer patients to and from hospital for their chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy treatment, free of charge.
How to help this Christmas: Having just welcomed their 99th ambulance and spread the word at Living North’s Christmas Fair in Newcastle, Daft as a Brush show no signs of slowing down. Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital is always a busy place as the cold weather hits and Brian and his team at Daft as a Brush go the extra mile to help with patient transport. They rely on your donations to do that, but you can also find out more about volunteering online.
Daisy Chain
daisychainproject.co.uk
Based in: Stockton
What they do: They provide a range of support services to autistic children and adults, either with a diagnosis or who are undergoing the diagnostic process, and their carers and families.
How to help this Christmas: The Daisy Chain Winter Ball returns this year (25th November) with a casino theme, music and plenty of feathers. Enjoy a three-course meal and dance the night away at this flagship fundraising event to help raise some all-important funds, or visit their Christmas Fair on 2nd December. Having a clear out before the big day? Daisy Chain accept donations of good-quality items at their donation station at the rear of their Portrack Lane store.
Feeding Families
feedingfamilies.org.uk
Based in: Blaydon
What they do: They offer support, hope and security to those experiencing food poverty.
How to help this Christmas: Feeding Families began helping families at Christmas by matching a family who needed help with one who could donate a Christmas dinner. Last year they delivered more than 9,000 Christmas dinners across the whole of the region. This year, through their campaign, A Matched Christmas Dinner, they’re offering families in need six menus to choose from. You can help by volunteering, fundraising and donating food.
North East Homeless
northeasthomeless.org.uk
Based in: North Shields
What they do: They provide food, emergency equipment and support to those who are vulnerable and/or homeless in the North East.
How to help this Christmas: Their Fish Quay Hub is an exciting café and venue space where you can enjoy good food while supporting the charity. They also have a Social Supermarket which is open to everyone, and where you can shop on a ‘take what you need, leave what you can’ basis. Every Christmas Eve Newcastle Central Station opens its doors to North East Homeless, where they provide people with a warm Christmas meal. You can donate online to help.
The People’s Kitchen
peopleskitchen.co.uk
Based in: Newcastle
What they do: They support homeless and vulnerable people and help fight hunger and loneliness for locals who may be at risk of homelessness, unemployed, lonely or living in poverty.
How to help this Christmas: As the cold weather arrives, it becomes more and more important to provide care for those who need it. The People’s Kitchen have an Amazon wish-list of clothes they desperately need for those who use their services, but they also accept food donations.
Project Santa
Based in: Newcastle
What they do: They collect and send out Christmas gifts and food to children across the city who might otherwise go without.
How to help this Christmas: This year Project Santa is back and they’re asking for donations or presents for children up to age 16. There are drop off points at Spice FM in The Beacon and at the Hindu Temple in Newcastle. To find out how to donate contact projectsantanewcastle@gmail.com.
SHAK
shak.org.uk
Based in: near Alnwick
What they do: They offer sanctuary in the Northumbrian countryside to abused, mistreated and neglected dogs.
How to help this Christmas: A dog isn’t just for Christmas, a dog is for life – and that’s SHAK’s message all year round. Every penny SHAK receives is either through funding applications or the generosity of their supporters. This Christmas, you can help by donating or visiting their shops in Blyth and Amble to browse or donate clothes, accessories, homeware and games.
Teesside at Christmas
teessideatchristmas.co.uk
Based in: Redcar
What they do: They support local charities by providing gifts for those who would otherwise go without.
How to help this Christmas: Last year Teesside at Christmas became a registered charity and they have just launched their appeal for 2022. If you want to donate food (parcels) or individual gifts, you can do this on 3rd December from 9am at St Hildas in Redcar. You can also donate online.
Tynedale Hospice at Home
tynedalehospice.com
Based in: Hexham
What they do: They provide nursing care at home, a hospital transport service and pre- and post-bereavement support to families in Ponteland and West Northumberland.
How to help this Christmas: Locally-produced wooden Christmas decorations and their 2023 diaries are now available to purchase from their shops across Tynedale. This year, their Light Up a Life event will take place in St Mary’s Church in Hexham at 3pm on 3rd December and will be live-streamed on their website if you can’t make it. Find out how to help fundraise and to donate online.
NE Youth
neyouth.org.uk
Based in: Blaydon
What they do: They’re the leading North East youth development charity, connecting young people with their community.
How to help this Christmas: The charity are now preparing for their annual NE Youth Burns Night Ball on 27th January but NE Youth are always grateful for donations. Head to their website to find out how you can support them in making a positive difference to the lives of young people across the region.
