A collective of charities and groups are once again coming together this holiday season to bring festive joy to those who need it most with the eighth annual Hitchin Christmas Hamper Appeal.

This year will be even tougher than the previous years. The energy costs and the price of food alone means many families will be struggling to barely cope, and those most vulnerable will not be coping at all. 

As with the previous couple of years organisers will be providing families with a supermarket voucher so they can choose what is appropriate for their families and dietary needs, to ensure those feeling the pinch this year have a Christmas to remember

Families with children will receive gift bags with presents for the children from 0-18years.

The hamper appeal have launched their Just Giving page to raise funds for the vouchers.

Lorna Hemmings, from the Hitchin Volunteer Army told Nub News: "The more we raise the more families we can help. 

"We aim to support 160 families as we did last year but its all dependent on the funds - we appreciate every little penny."

The Salvation Army in Stotfold are accepting donations of toys for the children and have an amazon wishlist. All gifts must be brand new. 

Charities and groups involved in joint forces to help this appeal include: Hitchin Partnership, Rotary Club of Hitchin Tilehouse, Hitchin Youth Trust, Zeo Church, Letchworth and Hitchin Foodbank, Hitchin Volunteer Army, Salvation Army Stotfold, Hitchin Roundtable and Feed Up Warm Up

For more see the links below:

Just Giving page: 

Salvation Army Stotfold: