A local charity has called for donations of filled gift boxes to be distributed to vulnerable local children this Christmas.

Andover Foodbank, based in St John the Baptist Church on Alexandra Road, has put out the appeal to locals to give these children a treat during this festive season.

Each box will be donated to a boy or girl of a certain age, which the charity says will “make a real difference,” with children identified by key workers at local agencies and schools.

Annie Milhell, from Andover foodbank, said “the gift box may be the only present that a child receives and should be exciting, filled with fun treats and presents.

She continued: “The key points are that: all items must be new and unused; sweets must have a use by date on each individual packet (loose sweets or items from a multi pack without a date cannot be distributed); and, free items such as toys from restaurants and basic toiletries such as toothbrushes and soap should not be included. The foodbank distributes basic toiletries separately.”

Gift ideas are categorised according to gender-based norms, but they only serve as guidelines, with donors free to make up their own surprise collection. The charity expects the contents of the box to come to a total of £15.

According to the Andover foodbank, a high number of requests for gift boxes is expected this year, given the difficulties faced by many families. This would continue the 2019 trend where increased demand meant the charity distributed over 900 boxes.

“The people who have donated gifts have given some of the most vulnerable children in Hampshire the gift of waking up to presents on Christmas Day,” said a social worker who distributed boxes last year.

Gift boxes must be delivered to the foodbank by Friday November 7. Further information and a leaflet which gives details of how to make up a box, labels and gift ideas is available on their website - andoverfoodbank.org.uk