Warwick District Council has gifted thousands of pounds worth of festive food and other support donated by their staff and contractors to several Warwick-based community centres.

Coordinated by the Council's Community Wellbeing team, the donations will be distributed through the district's network of community hubs, providing families and individuals in need with gifts, food hampers, Christmas treats and boxes of essential items in time for Christmas.

Christmas food was donated to Warwick's Packmores Community Centre, funding for a Christmas fair aimed at families in the local area was given to The Gap, Young People First received donations to help provide 60 hampers with Christmassy treats and Chase Meadow Community Centre was given support to help the team provide assistance to 29 families with gifts and food, providing 12 vulnerable single adults with food for a Christmas dinner and a gift.

Jo Whitten, Manager at Chase Meadow Community Centre said: "We are truly grateful for the generous donations of toys and financial support. Every family received multiple gifts for each child, along with a hamper of food and a hamper of Christmas treats. We were also able to host a wonderful Christmas community event with free activities and a visit from Santa.

"These gifts and experiences have brought joy to our families and eased the financial pressures they face at this time of year, making the season brighter for everyone in our district."

WDC Gifting tree (image via WDC)

Cllr Jim Sinnott, Portfolio Holder for Safer, Healthier and Active Communities, added: "We are thrilled with how our Christmas appeal has been embraced by our staff and partners, with dozens of gifts for children of all ages and other seasonal items placed under our 'gifting trees'. In addition, we are grateful to our contractors; Bell Group, Axis, Dodd Group, Stannah, D&K Heating, Shield, Fire Safe Services, Tersus and Ian Williams who have taken our call for assistance to heart with very generous financial contributions from their teams.

"Our thanks must also go to our partners at the Brunswick Hub, Sydni Centre, Packmores, The Gap, Chase Meadow Community Centre, Young People First and Helping Hands whose work will ensure that these gifts will reach people in our community who are struggling and may otherwise receive little or nothing this festive season, due to financial or other pressures."