A PAIR from Bude have organised a charitable programme helping those in need this winter have a festive Christmas.

Laila Parker and Paul Crum run Bude Christmas Hampers, a charitable organisation who provide hampers for those in need during the Christmas period.

The pair started the programme after they were contacted by someone in need.

Laila told the Post: “We started providing Christmas hampers six years ago when I got a random message on Christmas Eve from a lady who hadn’t been paid and had no shopping in for the festive period. I directed her to the foodbank but she told me she had already tried there but unfortunately they were now closed for Christmas.

“I think she reached out to me because she may of seen my husband Paul does a lot for charity and she literally had nothing and didn’t know where to turn. So being nice people that we are, we popped to Morrisons to get her a small food shop which Paul delivered to her that day. We saw the relief and also joy that that very first hamper brought, so Bude Christmas Hampers was born.”

Since then, Laila and Paul’s programme has only gotten bigger.

Laila said: “The following year we managed six hampers and it has been building up from there. Last year we delivered 52 hampers with enough for to feed nearly 250 for seven days!

“Last year we were also able to include fresh meat that people kindly donated the funds for, but it’s looking unlikely we will be able to offer it this year due to the cost of living and people having less to give.

Anyone who asks via Facebook we give one to as we believe sometimes its hard to ask for help, so if someone is asking the more they likely need it. All details are kept completely confidential and only Paul and myself know where they go.”

Laila and Paul expect requests to only increase. “With the cost of energy at present, more and more people are going to end up struggling with less spare money to spend outside of essentials and it’s really sad to see.”

The pair always welcome donations to allow them to continue.

Laila added: “If anyone would like to donate any foods they can be delivered straight to my house. I get the same amount of excitement between being donated one tin of beans or 50 tins of beans, they all mean the same to me because I know each item means so much to someone else. We currently need any cupboard food, dry foods, and all kinds of tinned food and tinned meats of any kind. Also we need festive treats.”

Those who would like to help can contact them by searching ‘Bude Christmas Hampers’ on Facebook.