The Cornish Christmas Giving Catalogue for 2016 has been officially launched which gives shoppers the chance to give a gift locally this Christmas and do something good for the community at the same time.

The catalogue features many worthy local groups and charities who are all working in Cornwall to provide assistance, support, activities, beds and more to people in our own community. This year you can choose from 20 Cornish charities to donate to and in return you will receive a gift certificate to pass on to your family member or friend. Gifts start from just £2 up to £70 for a back pack bed.

Among the organisations in this year’s catalogue are Backpack Beds, Cornwall Befriending Service, Cornwall Dyslexia Association, Cornwall Night Stop, Cosgarne Hall, Coastal Zone, Camborne / Pool / Redruth Foodbank, Hidden Help, Nature Workshop, Play Zone, Roaming Penzance, the Samaritans, Sea Sanctuary, St Petroc’s Society, Truro Community Football and Wired Cornwall.

Over the past three years, the Cornwall Christmas Giving Catalogue has helped fund charity Backpack Beds (Cornwall Independent Poverty Forum) and has purchased over 100 of the new portable shelter backpacks that are distributed to people facing a night on the street.

Paul Green from Backpack Beds said: “This simply would not be possible without the support of the Christmas Giving Catalogue and the donations pledged because of it.”

Another charity which benefits from the money raised through the catalogue is Camborne, Pool and Redruth Foodbank (CPR). Its manager Don Gardner said: “The proceeds of the catalogue help us to deliver 10,000 meals each month to people who need them most. In addition to this, the team of 84 volunteers will also be delivering 1,080 Christmas lunches this year. The catalogue is a great support to our ongoing work and we couldn’t do without it.”

For director and founder of Cornwall Befriending Service (CBS), Rowena Koning, it is the first year the charity has taken part in the catalogue and she hopes it will help CBS to continue their work helping those in need, offering free debt and financial advice and support.

“I think the alternative Christmas catalogue is a great idea and we feel privileged to be part of it," said Rowenna."We look forward it supporting the work we do. It really is such a worthwhile project.”

The Cornwall Christmas Giving Catalogue can be viewed online trurodiocese.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Cornish-Christmas-Giving-Catalogue-2016.pdf.