Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council have been thanked for its donation of 350 gifts to vulnerable families in temporary accommodation over the festive period.

The donations were part of an initiative, organised by the council’s Temporary Accommodation Team and now in it’s fourth year, to spread a little Christmas cheer to those who, for various reasons, couldn’t be in their own homes.

Gifts included vouchers for supermarkets, Campus West, and for dining out, as well as donations of luxury food items such as tubs of chocolates, mince pies and selection boxes, which were used for specially made up gift bags.

Anne, who is living at Hazel Grove House, said that the initiative was "such a lovely thing to do. Thank you so much".

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Shauna, at Inspira House, was also keen to thank the council, and her children were delighted to open their gifts.

"We are so pleased to be doing this again and we’ve had some lovely feedback from families," said Councillor Lynn Chesterman, executive member for Housing.

"Everyone has the right to a good Christmas, and in an ideal world we would be with our loved ones in familiar surroundings. Hopefully this provided some light at a difficult time, especially for children.

"We must also say a big thank you to the local businesses and partner organisations who also made donations – it’s hugely appreciated and we couldn’t make this work as effectively without them."

Councillors, council staff, their friends and family and a number of local businesses and organisations made the fantastic donations, including: Capsticks LLP, Press and Starkey, HVR Tanner, Colliers, Lovell Partnership Ltd, Brazier Freeth, Baldwin and Bleakley Electrical Services, Herts Sports Partnership, GLL, Birchwood Leisure Centre, Smartier Group Limited, Waitrose, Tesco, WelTech Business Centre, PH Limited, Campus West and Frosts Estate Agents.