Christmas bus tour to deliver 1,000 hampers

A charity bus has set off on a mission to bring festive hampers of food and gifts to hundreds of families.

Operation Community Hamper (OCH) is handing out 1,000 hampers from an open-top bus on an eight-day tour of West.

Volunteers will also collect items on the journey, which has its first stop in Weston-super-Mare from 18:00 GMT.

Charlotte Churchill, from Bristol, launched the project in 2020 and said it is a "lifeline" to many and is about "bringing some hope".

The families who receive hampers have been referred by professionals such as schools and GPs.

The charity said many of the parents who will pick them up are in full-time employment but still struggling to pay the basic cost of living such as food and utility bills.

A group of volunteers are behind Operation Community Hamper

“The support from local and national businesses has been amazing," said Ms Churchill.

"This project is about enriching their lives, adding to their emotional well-being and bringing some hope to them."

The charity began by giving out 19 hampers in 2020. Last year, they made 656 and this year it has risen to more than 1,000.

They include selection boxes, cereal and hot chocolate along with essential items such as washing powder.

Sarah Wallbridge, from First Bus West of England - which is supplying the bus for the journey, said the hamper project always gives her the "wow factor".

"The energy and passion the team has is amazing, and there’s a real sense of community with everyone super committed to make a real difference," she said.

Charlotte Churchill created the project and said it is about giving people "hope"

The Christmas bus will is visiting towns across Bath, Bristol and North Somerset until December 12 from 18:00 - 20:00 GMT.

Operation Community Hamper is accepting financial donations on its website.