With some hard work, lots of dedication and a little Christmas spirit, staff and delegates at NETA Training have worked together to collect a range of toys to donate to the Ellen Timney Foundation.

Each year NETA’s Gas Instructor, Rob Hardy who is also the charity’s vice chairman, spent months raising money to allow them to provide a magical Christmas for underprivileged children.

The staggering amount of presents collected this year were donated to Newport Primary School with  Safeguarding Lead/Parent Support Advisor, Louise Hill, and School Attendance Officer, Denise Batty, visiting NETA to collect the gifts.

Denise said: “The Ellen Timney Foundation has supported our school for around five years now.  They have provided us with funds to help families living in poverty, all year round.  They are a huge help at Christmas ensuring all of our families, who need some help, get what they need whether that be food, gifts, clothing, gas or electric.”

The donation included a vast collection of toys for boys and girls of different ages, which will now be handed out in the local primary school just in time for the festive period.

NETA instructor Rob Hardy said: “There are no words to say just how grateful we are to all those who have helped. These toys will mean so much to so many children in our area. It is fantastic that each year the staff at NETA go that extra mile to show their support.”

Denise added: “Living in the most disadvantaged area of Middlesbrough has huge challenges and because of the Ellen Timney Foundation, we can now ensure that our children and their families, living in poverty will get a visit from Santa.  This takes away extra pressures on parents to be able to provide, ensuring they don’t get into any further financial hardship.”

The Ellen Timney Foundation is a North-east charity that supports sick and underprivileged children across the region.