SYRIAN families across Northumberland and Newcastle will be better off this Christmas thanks to the charitable work of Ponteland High School students.

Pupils from each tutor group in the school provided food and presents for their own hamper before decorating them in a festive theme and sending them off to be distributed – providing 50 hampers altogether.

Families in the Northumberland County Council area received 25 hampers, Newcastle City Council received 20 and a further five were donated to the local Cash for Kids Appeal by Metro Radio.

The Cash for Kids Appeal raises money and collects gifts to help the 45,000 disadvantaged children across the North East who will wake up without a Christmas present this Christmas.