Couple donate dozens of Christmas dinners

The Give a Christmas Facebook group now has more than 200 members

A couple who donate Christmas dinners to families in need have said this is their biggest year yet.

Hannah and Steven Haggerty, from Hutton, Essex, run a Facebook group called Give a Christmas Essex, and provide turkeys, vegetables and all the trimmings to people who cannot afford them.

This is the fifth consecutive year of donations from the pair.

"We have 17 families confirmed this year so far and a few more to come, I think... that's over 50 people," Ms Haggerty said.

Hannah and Steven shop for fresh supplies the night before Christmas Eve

The pair first decided to donate free Christmas meals when they moved to Essex from London.

"We felt that there was a lack of community stuff happening," Ms Haggerty said.

Having had friends who were too proud to ask for charity, the couple understood that anonymity was an important factor in reaching people in need.

"We offer a completely non-judgemental and confidential way of asking for help," she added.

'Coming together'

In recent years, the couple have been supported by charitable residents donating more ingredients than they could provide themselves and at least one supporter has donated £200.

"[It] is incredible," Ms Haggerty said.

"[It] really feels like the community are coming together to help those who are sometimes missed in the day-to-day."

Give a Christmas Essex also takes donations of biscuits, chocolate, crackers and toys.