Dozens of Christmas hampers and gift bags have been distributed around the Sid Valley by Sidmouth Rotary Club. 

At the beginning of November the club launched an appeal to collect festive treats and presents for people struggling with the cost of living. Local residents and businesses were invited to donate money, children’s gifts or items for the hampers. 

Over the weekend of December 10 and 11 a team of volunteers from Sidmouth Rotary,  Primley WI and others met at Sidford Social Hall to put together the hampers and wrap up the presents, with deliveries starting on Monday, December 12. 

Rotarian Mike Goodman said: “It was a military operation and we all had great fun, although some may need to work on their wrapping skills for next year. 

“The team assembled 47 family hampers, 30 hampers for the elderly, 50 gift bags for those attending the Christmas community lunch and over 750 gifts for the children, this included several Ukrainian families. 

“The hampers contained Christmas items and all the families received a voucher to help them purchase Christmas perishables. 

“The greetings we received on the doorstep as we delivered the hampers were priceless. What a fantastic, generous community we have.” 

The Rotary Club worked with the Sid Valley Food Bank, East Devon District Council and local schools to identify households that would benefit from a Christmas hamper. 

Mike said: “Sid Valley Food Bank do a fantastic job all the year around and this appeal supplemented the great work that Chris Chapman and her volunteers do. Chris and others formed a great partnership to determine how best to help those in need and this small group was essential in identifying how we could help. 

“This Christmas effort was only possible with the help of so many people. A special thanks to East Devon District Council and Devon County Council who through their community grants supported the appeal; their contributions were invaluable.  We had a number of businesses and organisations who also contributed and become sponsors. Fields launched the appeal with their shop window and a very special thanks to Clare Ennels and her staff who donated numerous gifts and a generous cheque for £800.   

“We hope we have bought some cheer to those that need help and look forward to continuing this next year.”