Making Christmas specialfor those families in need

And adding Christmas into the mix makes it even harder for those relying on food packages from food banks.

That is why the generosity of children at Gomer Junior School will be such a boost to families in Fareham and Gosport.

More than 140 chocolate Advent calendars have been donated to Caring Hands, the charitable arm of the Family Church, in Bridgemary, which runs a food bank for people across Fareham and Gosport.

Pam Hibbard, from Caring Hands, collected the calendars and was delighted with how many there were.

She said: ‘We were overwhelmed, it was absolutely brilliant.

‘They support us throughout the year.

‘The calendars will be going to families in need in the Fareham and Gosport area.

‘Children will be delighted to open them. ‘There are some people who are only just managing to get by each week. It means Christmas is out of reach for them.

‘But it is lovely to be able to give them a little piece of Christmas with the calendars.’

Asda in Gosport donated 20 of the calendars. The rest were donated by the children at Gomer Junior School, in Gomer Lane, Gosport.

Headteacher Georgina Mulhall said: ‘We support a range of charities and we often support our local food bank.

‘I am delighted that our community has been so generous, again, at a time of year that can be difficult for many families.

‘Advent is a time of peace and joy. Gomer Junior thought that that it would be appropriate to provide some goodwill for those who may not receive a calendar to help with the countdown to Christmas.’

Evie Mulhall, nine, said: ‘This collection is a really good cause because I like having an Advent calendar and think that other children would too. It is something to enjoy.’

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