Care homes and charities stoke Teesside’s Christmas spirit

CHRISTMAS spirit is thriving across Teesside as care homes and charities exchange gifts in acts of festive generosity.

Relatives and staff at Mandale House Care Home, in Thornaby, have been collecting toys for the Daisy Chain Charity Superstore, in Stockton-on-Tees.

The home put out an appeal on social media and was inundated with donations for the store, which supports families affected by autism in Tees Valley.

Tracey Wright, the events manager for Dairy Chain, visited the home with the charity mascot, Daisy Bear, to collect the soft toys, board games, trucks and books.

She said: “We were really touched by the support of Mandale House and the wider Thornaby community.

“All of the items will go to our super store to raise funds to support the work of Daisy Chain.”

Michael Allen, home manager of Mandale House Care Home, on Acklam Road, said: “We’ve had some great community support this month.

“First with the food bank appeal, which was a huge success, and now with Daisy Chain. It’s so important for everyone to help each other whenever we can – especially so at Christmas.”

In Ingleby Barwick, elderly residents of Ingleby Care Home were delighted to receive shoeboxes full of gifts from training and social care provider Vision25.

The community interest company works with young adults with autism, learning and physical disabilities, who have been collecting items for the residents.

Staff and some of those supported by Vision25 visited the home to drop off the shoeboxes and enjoyed a cuppa, cake and chat with the residents.

Resident Olive Smith said: “It was lovely to meet them and sit and talk about what they’re interested in and what they get up to.

“To learn that those Vision25 supports are all able to work for the company with a little assistance is just amazing.”

Resident Irene Blekinsop said: “It was lovely to sit and share stories with them about what we do at Ingleby and what the youngsters do at Vision25.”

Carol Singleton, home manager of Ingleby Care Home, on Lamb Lane, said: “We are hugely grateful to Vision25 for the gifts for our residents.

“It was also wonderful for them to pop in and see the residents, enjoy a cuppa and a chat. We hope they will come and visit us again in 2018.”