Hundreds of hampers to help families ahead of Diwali

On Sunday, 600 parcels were prepared by volunteers to be distributed across Leicestershire

Volunteers have prepared hundreds of food hampers in an effort to help struggling families and tackle food insecurity.

More than 120 volunteers gathered at Darji Community Centre in Leicester on Sunday to take part in the annual event, which is timed to coincide with Diwali.

Vina Parekh, the charity's event lead for the area, said she felt "privileged" to take part in an event which received so much support from the community.

The event was one of four which took place at the weekend, with the others in Birmingham, London and Manchester.

The parcels also include cards handmade by children in India, Mrs Parekh said

Nationally, the charity prepared 5,500 food hampers which will be distributed across the country - including 600 which will be sent to families in Leicestershire.

Mrs Parekh, who also works in a bank, said the aim of the hampers was to help struggling families, regardless of their faith.

The baskets include non-perishable food such as pasta, cereal, and rice, as well as other items like chocolate and toothpaste.

They also feature Diwali cards, which are handmade by children in India before they are shipped to the UK.

Vina Parekh, the charity's event lead for Leicester, says the project has gone "from strength to strength"

Mrs Parekh said the team in Leicester operated like a "well-oiled machine" and only took four hours to pack the hampers on Sunday.

The 55-year-old, from Oadby, said she felt she wanted to give back to the community.

"My kids are grown up and have moved on now, but the event is still in our family diary," she added.

"We have an army of people [working on this] and have gone from strength to strength."