Missing parcel leaves Derby charity short of children's gifts

A charity that sends presents to disadvantaged children has warned a missing order could ruin its Christmas.

Revive Healthy Living Centre in Derby said a package worth £1,250 from Sports Direct failed to arrive, but courier Evri claimed it had been delivered.

It said children - including young carers and those who had suffered bereavement - could be disappointed.

Sports Direct has offered the charity £600 in vouchers while Evri said it was investigating and had made a donation.

The charity's Secret Santa sends presents to young people who may not receive anything on Christmas morning, and has grown from distributing 35 sacks in 2011 to about 300 this year.

It relies on donations from businesses and members of the public.

Sportswear, including trainers and football kits, are popular gifts and some had been ordered from Sports Direct.

Delivery of presents is due to start on Friday and Jo Andrew from the charity said: "We are going to have some disappointed children.

"We have some empty sacks around this room because those children are waiting for things we ordered specifically for them and we don't have the funds to reorder those things.

"We're looking for somebody who can help and save Christmas before this Friday. I appreciate that's a really tight timeframe but, when we placed our order with order with Sports Direct, it was supposed to be here by now - we ordered it in plenty of time."

Sports Direct confirmed it would dispatch part of the order again but Ms Andrew said some of the items were no longer in stock.

An Evri spokesperson said: "We are incredibly sorry that a part of the order handled by Evri was not delivered and are prioritising looking into this matter.

"We have been in contact with the charity and arranged a replacement for the missing parcel. We have also offered a donation to the charity as a goodwill gesture."

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