Boxes packed with festive goodies are winging their way to people facing a “difficult Christmas” this year thanks a collective of local churches.

Fronted by St Peters Church Reverend Chris Cottee, 62, - affectionately known as “Red nose commander” - the team at the Soul Survivor church in North Watford have been packing 350 Christmas hampers for families and individuals who live in poverty and may struggle to celebrate this year because of it.

Watford Observer:

Christmas hampers on their way out of the warehouse

For the first time this year, the team has also packed 50 bags with supplies specifically designed for rough sleepers.

“The last ten years or so we recognised there are parts of the town where people are living in very difficult circumstances and facing a difficult Christmas,” said Rev Cottee.

“The number of rough sleepers has gone up, reaching a pretty consistent 40 this winter.”

The bags contain 18 items, including wipes, lip salve, chocolate biscuits and warm weather clothing, such as gloves, hats and thick socks, to give a little comfort to those living on the freezing streets over Christmas.

The hampers contain a box of Roses chocolates, tea bags, coffee, and Christmas crackers, among other items.

“The hampers are for individuals and families, but we divide them up so they are suitable for the number of people.

“We work with social services, refugee groups, women’s groups and others, to come up with a recipients list of people who are generally going to be facing a difficult Christmas, and work out how many hampers we need.”

Christians Across Watford start putting together plans for the hampers in May so they can be delivered to people in need in time for Christmas. Delivery of the 400 care packages will be completed by tomorrow (Saturday).

“The churches pay for all of this, it’s about £10,000 per year. It’s an expression of our unity as churches. We do together what we could not do alone,” added the Reverend.

“We get cards and emails saying how much it means to them, which is always nice.”