'Making miracles happen' as community spreads Christmas cheer to those in need in Jarrow

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Hedworthfield Community Centre based in Fellgate, Jarrow, looked a lot like Santa’s grotto when it was full of goodies, which have since been taken from the centre and passed on to homes across the area.

The festive season is going to be a particularly difficult one for the less well off in 2020. But many elderly people, the vulnerable and families in need will be having a better Christmas thanks to the association, which has collected and given out a variety of food and gifts.

Donations flooded in from generous members of the public, schools, Norah’s North Pole and businesses such as Morrisons in the Viking Centre, Heron Foods, Barbour and others. JCS Hire helped by lending a van free of charge.

'Making miracles happen' as community shows generosity

The donations will go towards hampers, Christmas dinners and other meals and presents for children who might otherwise not receive any (which have been passed on to Santa Claus).

Volunteers at the community association, including centre managers Christine Green and Jill Charlton have worked tirelessly to sort the donations to make sure they go to the right people.

Cllr Geraldine Kilgour is a trustee of Hedworthfield CA and is keen to say thank you.

She said: “Hedworthfield CA are forever grateful to Norah’s North Pole, our children sponsors, funders, Charities Aid Foundation, volunteers, staff, directors, trustees who under Audrey Huntley and Teresa Kingdon’s leadership have made miracles happen.

Centre manager Christine Greene with just a small part of the goodies collected and handed out by Hedworthfield Community Association following some amazing generosity.

“We are sending Christmas food parcels to 50 families for a two week period, in addition to our older and most vulnerable community members who have received baskets of goodies too.

Covid-19 has brought out the best in Jarrow as Christmas approaches.

Brothers Nico and Taz Ali, who run the Premier convenience shop on Edinburgh Road on the Scotch estate have handed out gifts and hundreds of free curries to help members of the community to keep out the cold.

Cllr Keith Roberts has arranged for Santa to appear at St John the Baptist Church when Covid put paid to the youngsters’ pantomime.

Hedworthfield CA has done some incredible work during the Covid crisis.

Cllr Kilgour added: “Happy Christmas from all at Hedworthfield CA. We put the community at the heart of everything we do.”

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