This year, we are proud to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Cleveland Fire Brigade’s tradition of delivering gifts to children on Christmas Day, making a positive impact on as many young lives as we can.
In partnership with ‘Make A Child Smile – Mission Xmas,’ the Brigade is excited to introduce the 2024 appeal, ‘Happy Hats’ which is focused on providing gifts for babies aged 0-2 and teenagers aged 15 and over.
We particularly encourage contributions for these two age groups, as they are often overlooked in our gift collection efforts. Suggested items for babies include nappies, nappy cream, baby wipes, and age-appropriate toys. For teenagers, we welcome gifts such as toiletries, clothing, books, and stationery.
David Veitch from our Commissioned Services team said: “The project started 30 years ago when I was asked if Cleveland Fire Brigade could attend the University Hospital of North Tees on Christmas Day to distribute gifts which were donated by a local charity. A few years later we teamed up with the charity ‘Make a Child Smile’.”
“After 30 years and 30 Christmas Days the objective remains the same. No child shall wake up on Christmas Day without a gift. The project has expanded to hospitals, hospices, refuges and children’s homes.”
“The impact is twofold as we create smiles, and the beneficiaries give the charity, and the delivery teams a warm glow both on their faces and in their hearts. Whilst it has been an absolute pleasure for me to be there every Christmas Day. Its success is down to the hard work of the charity, its supporters and Cleveland Fire Brigade.”
The Brigade are asking teams at the monthly meetings for the ‘Later Life Club’ at Redcar and Headland to kindly wrap the presents. By collaborating with the ‘Later Life Club’ service this provides an excellent opportunity to unite as many people from across the Brigade as possible and make a meaningful impact to a child’s life this Christmas.
If you can and would like to donate, the following Community Fire Stations are accepting gifts:
- Headland Community Fire Station, Durham Street, Hartlepool, TS24 0HQ
- Middlesbrough Community Fire Station, Park Road South, Middlesbrough, TS5 6LG
- Redcar Community Fire Station, Trunk Road, Redcar, TS10 5BW
- Stockton Community Fire Station, South Road, Norton, Stockton, TS20 2SU
A large donation box will also be placed in the reception area at Cleveland Fire Brigade HQ, Endeavour House, Stockton Rd, Hartlepool, TS25 5TB.
We would like to thank you for your continued support.
