Over the last four decades the Cause Foundation’s Christmas Hamper Campaign has brought festive cheer to households across the area.
The first 25 hampers were delivered in 1987 and the scheme continues to go from strength to strength.
The Hamper Campaign receives nominations from social services teams, schools and other local charities, and has become a year-round support mechanism for the most disadvantaged in society.
The charity’s work now also covers school holiday hunger campaigns, with bags of food provided to schools for distribution to families.
Cause also respond to crisis requests providing families with items such as beds, bedding and food.
Founder Pat McBride turned 80 this year and received a Tees Businesswomen Jane Turner Award for outstanding contribution for her work.
Julie Hull and Jo Connelly who co-ordinate the Hamper Campaign said: “We get an amazing response to our appeal every year, and sadly the need is just as great in 2023.
“We’re able to target our support to those in genuine financial hardship, and only accept nominations for our hampers from partner agencies.
“What makes our campaign so unique is that although our families remain anonymous, our donors receive the family dynamics and are able to ‘personalise’ their hamper.
“But that’s only possible thanks to our donors and supporters – without them we would not be able to do any of this, and we can’t thank them enough.”
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke joined Cause Foundation trustees at the Riverside Stadium to launch the 2023 Christmas Hamper campaign.
He said: “No-one should be going hungry or getting by without the essentials in 2023, least of all at Christmas.
“And thanks to brilliant charities like Cause Foundation, and the fantastic people who make it what it is, the festive season will be that little bit brighter for many families.
“They’ve made a real difference to countless lives for nearly 40 years, and that is truly priceless.
“I’d urge everyone who is able to support them to make a contribution, however small – the impact is quite simply huge.”
To find out more about the Cause Foundation and the Christmas Hamper Campaign, and how to become a donor visit www.cause-foundation.org.uk
