Diwali baskets created to support people in need

Hundreds of hampers were created for people in need

About 200 volunteers gathered in Birmingham on Saturday to make food hampers for people in need.

Diwali Basket Brigade, held in the RSRS Centre in Hockley, saw about 2,000 bags packed, and was one of four events happening across the country on Saturday, organised by national charity The Diwali Foundation.

The hampers are delivered across the region to people of all faiths and backgrounds, in a bid to help tackle food poverty and spread the message of Diwali.

"My heart is warm, there's a huge team effort to bring this event together," said Deepak Parekh, founder and chair of trustees of the foundation.

"Our endeavour is to demonstrate that strangers do really care by bringing together members of the community from all walks of life, to just demonstrate that... a small act of kindness can go a really long way, and there's no boundary to where kindness can be spread.

"Our genuine hope is that each of these hampers, which was packed with love, with joy, with lots of non-perishable food items - essential food items - gets to families in need."

'Remove barriers'

St Basils, a Birmingham-based charity and housing association which supports 16 to 25-year-olds who are homeless, vulnerable or at risk, benefits from the hampers.

Jean Templeton, chief executive, said: "It means a huge amount, we've been involved with the Diwali Basket Brigade for the last eight years."

She said the young people they help are often trying to survive on about £74 per week, so the hampers are a huge help.

"In every bag, there is a little card which says: 'With love from a friend'," she added.

"Young people feeling that somebody actually cares about you is so, so important.

"This isn't just about today, this is about whole communities understanding each other, valuing each other, ensuring that the support is provided to remove barriers and enabling people to thrive."

It was Clare Hanna's fourth time volunteering at the event.

"It's just something nice to do that's for the greater good," she said.