Westbank delivers 50 Christmas hampers to local families with the help of the business community

Businesses in and around Exeter have rallied to help the Exminster-based charity Westbank Community Health and Care to deliver 50 hampers to support local families this Christmas. A huge donation of children’s toys were a last minute addition to the food hampers - a special donation from Cars and Cuppas, which runs monthly events in Exeter.

Numerous organisations donated festive fare and their time to ensure Westbank’s hampers were packed full of goodies to bring some Christmas cheer to the local community. Volunteers from NatWest’s Exeter branch helped wrap gifts and prepare the boxes, while children from Exminster Primary School created handmade cards to put in each one. Supplies were donated by Fareshare, Exeter Food Action, Mosshayne Farm (who supplied organic leeks and butternut squash), and Bookers Exeter (who provided the mince pies). Food donated through Westbank’s Reverse Advent Calendar initiative was collected at the charity’s Healthy Living Centre in Exminster and at SPAR Starcross. Exminster Parish Council also supported the hampers with a donation. 

Sarah Benthall, Westbank’s Head of Voluntary and Community Services, said, “So many people have helped us put together these festive hampers to support fifty families in the local community who may otherwise have struggled to provide food, treats and gifts this Christmas. We are so grateful to everyone who has helped us by donating supplies or giving their time to pack all the boxes. We couldn’t have done it without the support of local businesses and organisations and can’t thank them enough.”

Sarah added, “The last-minute donation of toys worth thousands of pounds came out of the blue and were the ‘icing on the cake’. Cars and Cuppas posted on Facebook that they had surplus toys after a fundraising event and asked if there was a charity who could use them. Someone suggested Westbank and we were thrilled to receive them. They’re sure to bring a smile to children’s faces on Christmas Day.”

Westbank’s volunteer drivers took to the road in the charity’s branded vehicles to deliver the hampers in good time for the festivities.