PEOPLE in Henleaze and Westbury are being urged to join a project that aims to distribute 1,000 hampers and hundreds of gifts across Bristol and the surrounding area this Christmas.
Operation Community Hamper aims to provide some cheer for families in need by offering them high quality food and some of the seasonal treats that better-off folk take for granted.
The hampers include items such as biscuits, pickles, chutney, mince pies, Christmas pudding, Christmas crackers, and chocolates as well as tea, coffee and hot chocolate.
The charity began on social media during the pandemic and is now supported by many individuals and organisations, including Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, Bristol Rovers, Robins Foundation and First Bus.
Fonations for the hampers are being collected at a host of drop-off points, including Simpsons solicitors in Westbury. More details can be found on the charity’s website www.operationcommunityhamper.co.uk
Supporters also raise funds for the charity and this year they are running a Santa Bus, which will be in Southmead, Westbury & Filton on Saturday December 7 and Sea Mills, Lawrence Weston & Henbury on Monday December 9 (both 6-8pm).
OCH will be at the Memorial Stadium on December 7 taking donations at the Bristol Rovers v Bolton Wanderers match and the Santa Bus will be at Ashton Gate on December 14 to receive donations at Bristol City v QPR.
Ken Major, one of the charity’s volunteers, said support from businesses and from the community was vital.
“Our focus is on helping people in the community and without the community itself, we wouldn’t be able to do anything.”