Organisers of a charity project to bring some Christmas cheer to people in need have been overwhelmed by the generosity of local people.

Friends Ruth Longworth and Ann Young launched the ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ last month for the second year running.

The idea was for local people to fill a box with Christmas treats to be distributed via Ryedale Community Foodbank to struggling individuals and families to provide additional help at this time year.

They had first come up with the idea after seeing a television feature.

The friends said the aim of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ was to bring the community together to offer a bit of support in difficult times

" The 2022 appeal - then known as ‘The Reverse Advent Calendar’ - resulted in 175 boxes being delivered.

"Now in 2023, thanks to the continued generosity of local people, the number of people receiving the parcels has grown to an amazing 300.

After partnering once again with the food banks in Norton, Pickering and Kirkbymoorside Ruth and Ann, along with other volunteers, presented their idea to local clubs, churches, choirs, schools and businesses during October, asking for boxes to be filled in November with seasonal treats, toys and games, clothing, and toiletries.

The donations were then carefully checked by volunteers before being delivered to Ryedale Community Foodbank for distribution.

The friends added: “We have again been tremendously touched by the generosity and kindness of the people of Ryedale.

"Their support will have made a big difference to people who are struggling to put food on the table, hopefully helping to make Christmas feel special. We are also indebted to all our volunteers, the local organisations and businesses that supported us, and the food bank."

Ryedale Community Foodbank began operating as an independent foodbank in April 2022 to succeed the discontinued Ryedale Foodbank (Trussell Trust).

Run entirely by volunteers, it consists of three hubs serving local communities in Norton, Malton, Pickering and Kirkbymoorside.

Each hub is operated entirely by volunteers.

Local resident and trustee of the food bank Alan Robinson, who has been volunteering at the facility for the past five years, said: “We are seeing people who would never have dreamt of coming to us before. Many are desperate and, sadly, the situation is not getting any better.

“We try to provide food parcels to those in need in the local area from local food donations, but there are inevitably shortfalls in some items of food, toiletries and cleaning materials at times and we need to use cash donations and funding to purchase items to supplement donations.”

Dinah Keal, chair of Ryedale Community Foodbank said: “The Ryedale Community Foodbank is very grateful to Ruth and Ann for again creating these wonderful Christmas parcels for the people we support.

"Many people are still struggling with the cost of daily living and many don't have much left for little extras at Christmas.

"It is great to be able to give more than just basic foods during the festive season and these extra gifts mean so much to people when they receive them."