Council overwhelmed by generosity of North Yorkshire people

Staff at North Yorkshire County Council have been overwhelmed by the success of an appeal for items to make up Christmas gift boxes to donate to vulnerable young and elderly people in the county.

The council's customer service centre is the first point of contact for adult and children’s social care and staff are keen supporters of fundraising activities that help children and adults in need.

They decided to launch a campaign to benefit people in North Yorkshire, appealing to council colleagues and on social media followers.

Allison Forster, who was involved in organising the project, said:

Staff gave up their time to sort and pack the items into boxes, including toys, sweets, colouring books, crayons, socks, gloves and scarves, toiletries and Christmas food for adults.

More than 100 gift boxes were made up and distributed widely through organisations including The Crossing hostel in Northallerton for homeless young people, the Friarage Hospital paediatrics unit and the Maggie Neil women’s refuge in Northallerton.