LOCAL people are being urged to help ensure children experiencing hardship will receive a Christmas gift this year.

The ‘Reuse Santa Appeal’ is calling for households to donate good quality pre-loved items and unused gifts to families who may be struggling to give their youngsters the festive season they deserve this year.

Once received, in a socially distanced manner, the donations will rest for at least 72 hours before being taken by a designated driver to be inspected, disinfected and delivered to No Wrong Door, which supports young people who are within or on the edge of the care system

Teri Owens, team manager at No Wrong Door said:“This appeal has the power to transform Christmas for many young people. It’s always a hard time of year for people experiencing hardship, but the pandemic has made it even more difficult for parents and young people to access even very basic provisions.”

Collection point have been set up at Yorwaste’s22 household waste recycling sites , including Malton, Pickering and Wombleton, which it operates on behalf of North Yorkshire County Council.

The Reuse Santa Appeal has been created to allow people who are visiting the sites, to bring clean, good quality, functioning and complete gifts, suitable for young people aged aged up to18, to be placed in the designated collection areas. Donations of Christmas wrapping paper and tape will also be accepted as part of the appeal

Richard Bate, commercial operations director,at Yorwaste said:“As a business, we’re fully committed to supporting the local community and the environment, and this is the ultimate way to do something amazing whilst minimising waste.

“Things that are not suitable for the Reuse Santa Appeal can still be recycled, and our site staff are always on-hand to help customers place their waste in the correct place.”

For more information about No Wrong Door, go to www.northyorks.gov.uk/no-wrong-door