We're helping to bring festive cheer to families across Sunderland this Christmas by delivering hundreds of Christmas dinners and gifts, thanks to the generosity of our colleagues and partners.
Many families on Wearside have been financially impacted in the last year due to the pandemic, and the donations which have been made possible thanks to support from Sunderland City Council, Equans and Tolent, will help brighten Christmas for those less fortunate.
Our festive deliveries first launched in 2017 when the Group identified some tenants were alone on Christmas Day, or financially struggling during the festive season. The appeal has grown every year since, with 160 meals delivered and more than 600 gifts generously donated this Christmas.
Turkey dinners and all the trimmings, as well as a complimentary dessert, will be hand delivered by our colleagues on Christmas Eve, to tenants in isolation or spending Christmas on their own.
Selection boxes, cuddly toys and board games, are among the 600 gifts delivered to families across the city prior to Christmas Day, for those who may find it difficult to provide presents to their children.
Nigel Wilson, Chief Executive Officer at Gentoo Group, said:
“I am have been blown away by the generosity of colleagues and partners. To see more than 600 Christmas gifts donated is truly fantastic - these small acts of kindness will bring a smile to the faces of adults and children this Christmas time.
“On behalf of Gentoo, I would like to thank Sunderland City Council’s School Meals Division, for preparing the Christmas dinners, and to Equans and Tolent for their generous gift donations. It’s a fantastic cause that will make a huge difference to hundreds of tenants and their families.”
