Caring staff at autism charity Spectrum spent Friday (15th December) getting in the festive spirit by wrapping presents for hundreds of deprived children in West Cornwall for the fourth year in a row.

Last year more than 360 disadvantaged children received a special gift to open on Christmas Day thanks to Spectrum, which provided the Camborne, Pool and Redruth FoodBank with the presents.

Don Gardner, founder of CPR FoodBank, said: “It’s difficult to imagine how hard life can be for families struggling to make ends meet, particularly at Christmas time. It is heartbreaking.

“These children would have not a single present to open on Christmas Day if it wasn’t for Spectrum’s toy appeal. On behalf of these families, we are truly grateful.”

The food bank matches the presents to a list of children’s names and addresses, age and gender, provided by Cornwall Council.

Mary Simpson, Chief Executive of Spectrum, said: “Every year the outpouring of generosity from our staff is overwhelming and we’re delighted to be doing the same this year.

“If it wasn’t for these donations, many of the most vulnerable children in society would simply go without and Christmas would be just another day. Knowing the gifts we delivered – however large or small – will put a smile on a child’s face this Christmas is worth all the effort.”

The charity, which offers residential care, education and support for people with autism, will deliver a sleighful of presents to the foodbank just before Christmas. They will be handed out along with more than 1,000 Christmas meals to vulnerable families across the area.

The CPR FoodBank was launched by Don seven years ago and currently provides 10,000 meals each month to those in need. For more information visit www.cprfoodbank.co.uk.