'Swap secret Santa for food bank donations'

Sarah Thomas-Gordon said the scheme could "make Christmas a bit brighter"

Bosses at a business improvement district (BID) are asking companies to consider ditching so-called Secret Santa events in favour of donations to food banks this Christmas.

It is a campaign the Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID has been running for the past five years.

"We call it giving together, and it essentially means that we're helping out those less fortunate in our communities," said Sarah Thomas-Gordon, from the BID.

The initiative also covers Festival Park and others areas of the city which fall outside of the BID zone.

Food that is donated is then distributed to local charities and food banks.

Last year, teams collected about 300 boxes, amounting to approximately two tonnes of goods.

This included 200 tins of potatoes, 42 Christmas puddings, 28 teddy bears and two bicycles.

"It's not just asking for food, we're asking for anything really that would help those who are a bit more vulnerable, make their Christmas a bit brighter," Ms Thomas-Gordon said.

"It's recognising that there are a lot of people in our city who do need help, and if we can maybe think less about ourselves a little bit and think about those who are less fortunate, I think it will go a really long way."

Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID is urging companies to make donations to food banks instead of buying secret Santa gifts

Secret Santa events are common in many workplaces, with those staff taking part randomly and secretly assigned the name of a colleague to buy a Christmas gift for.

The BID will distribute empty boxes to local businesses in the first week of December, to give staff time to fill them with donations before they are collected and distributed in time for the holidays.

The idea is for people to spend about £5-£10 on food and other donations.

The BID is hoping for people to donate non-perishable items, and in particular things that can be used for a Christmas dinner.

Sanitary products and other basic essentials as well as toys in a good condition are also welcomed.

Companies interested in participating are asked to contact the BID through its website.