This year the Hitchin Christmas Hamper Appeal gave out 158 hampers to individuals and families.

Through the generous donations the Hitchin community gave and help from the Salvation Army 360 local children were given presents.

The Appeal is coordinated by the Hitchin Christmas Community Team which comprises: Hitchin Partnership CIO (Family Support Team), Zeo Church, Hitchin Volunteer Army, Rotary Club of Hitchin Tilehouse, The Hitchin Youth Trust, Hitchin Round Table, The Salvation Army, and Hitchin Foodbank.

Here's Lorna Hemmings from the Hitchin Volunteer Army as she shares the story of how so many children were helped and gives her thanks to everyone who volunteered.

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When we started planning the Hamper Appeal in September, there was a lot of uncertainty and worry about how the appeal would go this year.

We knew that due to the ever changing situation that physical hampers were going to be problematic, due to our packing venue and the amount of volunteers we have to be able to run the day.

So using the model that we had been administering for Hitchin food provision since the beginning of Covid, we decided to give supermarket vouchers to families this year.

But that meant fundraising. Would we raise enough? Would we still provide gifts as well? Would we be able to help all those referred?

The answer was yes, yes ,yes! The response was just incredible and moving.

Through a JustGiving page and significant donations and grants from many individuals and organisations, this amazing community raised more than £30,000.

A huge thank you to everyone who has helped us reach this amount. It has meant families could not only get the essentials for a Christmas dinner but also a supply of food for the festive period.

We were still able to give out physical gift bags thankfully, as the packing and delivery of this could be done over a week with a smaller group of volunteers.

Each child received a gift and each gift bag contained sellotape and wrapping paper.

The Hamper Appeal is made possible by YOU, the community, and this year, even with the toughest conditions for all of us, you have stepped up and shown how if we work together, united, we made sure no one went hungry this festive season.

Thank you so much for your help and support this year, we wish you all a safe 2021.