Family marks ninth year of spreading festive cheer

Sarah Groom (left) started the 24 Days of Advent in 2015

Family members are entering their ninth year of delivering gifts to the community throughout December.

Sarah Groom, her partner and their two children, from Irthlingborough in Northamptonshire, run the 24 Days of Giving.

Each day from 1 December, the family hands out gifts and "refreshment boxes" to organisations across the county to brighten people's holiday season.

Ms Groom said: "We've met some fabulous people over the years and I can't see us ever stopping."

The family travels all over Northamptonshire during the festive period to deliver "refreshment boxes" to the community

The tradition began as a way to teach the children about the importance of giving as well as receiving during Christmas.

But over time it evolved into a broader effort to support the local community.

The family's acts of kindness have included handing out chocolates to emergency service workers and donating food items to local food banks.

Ms Groom said the initiative has had a profound impact on her children, who now saw Christmas differently.

The mother-of-two said: "They used to make a list but now they say, 'There's nothing we need'.

"They're all about what they can do for other people. We're so proud."