Silent Santa Appeal 2026
Thanks to the kindness of you all,
last year we were able to deliver more than 1,200 Christmas gifts to children who genuinely believed they would receive nothing at all.
Please see Cllr. Lee’s letter below:
Good day to you all,
I hope this message finds you well. After the incredible success of the 2025 Silent Santa Appeal — where the number of gifts donated for local children in need exceeded every previous year — we are delighted to confirm that the Appeal will be running again for Christmas 2026.
Christmas is a joyful time for many little ones, but sadly there are still children in our area who will not experience the excitement of opening a present on Christmas morning. The Silent Santa Appeal exists to change that. With the kindness of our community, we aim to provide as many thoughtful gifts as possible to children who would otherwise go without. Even a small gesture can brighten a child’s day and bring a smile they will remember.
If you feel able to help, we warmly invite you to fill a shoebox or Christmas‑themed gift bag with suitable items for a boy or girl aged:
· 4–5
· 6–7
· 8–9
· 10–11
Please label the gift with the age group and whether it is for a boy or a girl. For safety reasons, we kindly ask that no items containing glass or nuts are included.
If you’re able to share the Appeal with friends, colleagues, or anyone who might like to help, it would really boost what we can achieve together and bring joy to even more children this Christmas.
Donations can be dropped off at: 1 Greenhill Road, Heighington, DL5 6RN
If it is easier, you can contact us on 07876 216192 or gerald.lee@darlington.gov.uk, and we will gladly arrange a collection from an address that suits you.
Thank you, as always, for your generosity and support. It may be early, but we wish you all a very Merry Christmas when it comes.
Warm regards, Cllr Gerald & Ruth Lee
You can also help by making a donation below, no matter how small, to support the cause.
