A BIRCHWOOD office has donated toys, gifts, and food to charities across Warrington in time for Christmas.

Sellafield Ltd in Birchwood Park Avenue has been collecting for Warrington Borough Council's neighbourhoods team, Home-Start Warrington and Room at the Inn and the Y project.

The collection was organised by community liaison officer, Pauline Deans, who said: "We have been running the Christmas challenge at the Warrington offices for many years, but last year we met with the charities early to find out what they really needed to support our community and following such a successful campaign, we followed the same approach.

"The charities wanted very specific items for our staff to donate, so we set off the collection on November 12 and our employees didn’t disappoint in rising to the challenge to help their community.

"They were overwhelmed with everyone’s generosity.

"Some of our staff got to speak to the people who work with these vulnerable families, which gave them a real understanding of the difference each of us can make in our community.

"We’re glad that children in our area can wake up on Christmas morning to a gift under the Christmas tree and that homeless people can enjoy a hot meal and a roof over their head at Christmas, thanks to everyone’s generosity."

Warrington Borough Council’s neighbourhoods team asked for toys for children of all ages and these were picked up from the offices by councillor Tony Higgins.

He said: "This gift will make a huge difference because children will receive something they can treasure for Christmas and this year we’ve had referrals for 390 children.

"For us, it’s not just a gift to help make a Christmas for the families we deal with, it’s part of us helping working with a family to ensure they get the support in terms of debt and deprivation.

"It is sad that in such a vibrant and strong town there are still families who have these problems.

"Our goal is to make sure people need this service just once."

Home-Start Warrington were in need of children’s pyjamas and toiletries to build a “Christmas hamper” to distribute in time for Christmas Eve.

Kate Griffiths from the charity said: "The families really appreciate the gift boxes and the generosity shown to them.

"The gift boxes contain the essentials for their children and it is nice on Christmas Eve to be able to prepare their children by putting them in new pyjamas all ready for Christmas Day.

"These gifts will enable children in Warrington to have a better Christmas.”

Room At The Inn and the Y project have been working in partnership with Sellafield Ltd in Warrington for years and required tins of food and toiletries.

Susan Blyth from the charity said: "We deal with a lot of people on their own at Christmas and may not have anyone to give them a gift.

"So our role is to try and ensure people get something at Christmas that makes them feel important, valued and special."