Struggling families receive presents from charity

The Salvation Army sorted presents to help the struggling families in Hastings

A Hasting-based charity has donated 750 presents to struggling families ahead of Christmas.

Families who received the presents from Hastings Citadel Salvation Army described the charity as being like "an extra family member".

Children from the Malborough House School were invited to help sort the presents.

Shireen O'Brien, who has three children, said: "Every year they help out with a big hamper, a food hamper - which helps with everything.

The Salvation Army help out locals in many different ways

"Having them here is like an extra family member really, giving you a helping hand.”

Another recipient, Paul Moore, said: "Money is tight. They support us by giving us that little bit of help."

Mr Moore, who has a two-year-old daughter, added: "They know what she likes. It doesn’t have to be a £300 toy, it’s something basic that she will love and they help us to get more under the tree."

Lieutenant Debbie-Anne Hogarth said the deprivation in Hastings was "really sad".

Lieutenant Debbie-Anne Hogarth, from the Salvation Army, said: "I just feel at Christmas there is this additional need."