SUNDERLAND ECHO CHRISTMAS TOYS AND TINS APPEAL

That this House welcomes the launch of the 2006 Sunderland Echo Christmas Toys and Tins Appeal to gather presents for some of Wearside's neediest children, families and old people; further welcomes the plan to distribute toys and gifts to children who otherwise would not receive any presents and also to distribute gifts to pensioners who often live alone in isolation from the community; believes that many people from Age Concern Sunderland, Sunderland Social Services, Wearside Women in Need and the staff of the Sunderland Echo should be congratulated for backing the 2006 appeal; and further believes that this initiative by the Sunderland Echo newspaper should be fully supported by all the people of Wearside.