Black Country hamper appeal keeps growing
More than 160 Christmas hampers have been donated to families in need across the Black Country.
Caroline Paszki, Tracey Hale and Shireen Godley run Haven Hamper Christmas Appeal which has been handing treats to families for eight years.
This year more than 200 people donated to the appeal, the most yet.
This means 67 hampers have been handed to the Haven, 21 to Jericho House, 20 to Mencap, 25 to local schools, 15 to local families, 10 to Olivia's Closet and a number to Feed the Kids.
Caroline said: "Every year it's just got bigger and bigger, it's gone from 60 hampers to more than 160 this year.
"All we put in the hampers is Christmas treats, sweets, chocolates, crackers, homemade Christmas cards, marshmallows, hot chocolate and a toy.
"There's a toy for each child and the mum will get perfume or toiletries.
"The boxes were sponsored by Dixons Family Butchers in Bilston and Phoenix Recovery Services let us store the hampers and build them.
"There's a team of seven of us, it took us about seven hours to package up the hampers.
"This year we've had more donations than ever. The sheer volume of donations has been amazing.
"Everybody is feeling the pinch this year but everyone has been so charitable.
"We give out the hampers this early so parents can give the children the treats for Christmas.
"Some of the toys children are getting are remote controlled cars, smart watches, we had 20 footballs donated too.
"I just wanted to thank everyone that has donated."
