Back in 2014 I visited a food bank in Canterbury. I was en route to a TV studio and we diverted as my client was invited to see the work & support the ever growing food bank locations, popping up around the UK and the work they were doing.

I felt utterly cocooned in my own World as I had no idea food banks existed and that first visit was a real eye opener and education. That education has increased over the years as I have continued the local bank to my home town in Harold Hill, Essex.

That Christmas in 2014 I created an A4 envelope and anyone coming into our home for a mince pie couldn’t miss the plea of a donation for a Christmas shop for our local bank. Between my family and close friends I managed to get approximately £300!

So one freezing Saturday morning I got Hermione & Jessica (my then 6 year old daughter & little cousin) into the car and said right girls we are off to the shops! When we reached the store I gave them each a trolley and a budget and I said fill your trolleys with your favourite Christmas sweets and treats! Their little faces beamed and they felt very big being in charge and stacking their trolleys.

“Mummy, why are we getting so many things?

I said “we are going to a very special place Min and we are supporting others who need a little support this year at Christmas”

“Oh” said a bewildered Hermione & Jess!

We left the shop and loaded the car. I drove a few miles to the food bank and knocked on the door. I explained I had 2 little helpers with some local donations for the food bank. Immediately the amazing staff, all volunteers, invited us all in and offered us a tour! The girls and I were stunned at the truly wonderful work they did. I had no idea that there was a ‘much needed list’ and felt rather silly with trolley loads of Christmas selection boxes & treats but the volunteers were overwhelmed and then the girls little faces looked up and said “let’s get our goody’s in here”, they were so excited to help stack the shelves.

Since that first year we have continued our yearly Christmas shop and always support the local food bank throughout the year. I use the website as a guide to shop for the essentials needed but I always add in Christmas favourites because Christmas should never be cancelled and will not be cancelled as long as there is love, giving, sharing & caring.

Everyone deserves a little extra at Christmas and this year amidst a global pandemic I hope to smash the target guide and raise above and beyond the stated amount to support families in need who simply cannot make ends meet. 2 parent families who both work but can’t stretch their money after their outgoings and need to rely on local food banks, nurses, teachers, air hostess’, single working mothers, ex marines and police, you would be amazed at how many people need the support of local banks and there is no shame in needing a bit of extra support and on arrival at the bank the staff are life’s great people and welcome in families with love and care and guide them through the shelves to select what they need.

Last year The Trussell group at Harold Hill supported 2,290 three day emergency food supplies to people in crisis last year alone! Did you know that 1 in 5 are living below the poverty line in the UK.

Please donate absolutely anything you can. A little goes a long way and we can make a big difference together.

Thank you always

Nic xx