Struggling families in Bedford helped with festive food parcels

Michaela Martindale said nearly 200 children were given a donated Christmas present

A charity has handed out Christmas food parcels to struggling working families for the first time.

Bedford-based Faces has given out £50 fresh food parcels to 20 local families - and hundreds of Christmas presents.

Chief executive Michaela Martindale said the charity had seen demand rise by more than 40% on last year.

"It's so sad to see so many people who can't afford to feed their family, especially the week leading up to Christmas," she said.

• LISTEN: Bedford-based charity sees demand for Christmas support rise

Faces volunteers were only too happy to make sandwiches for the Christmas party

In the past week, the charity hosted a Christmas party and ran two Christmas pop-up shops, one for toys and presents - and the other for food.

In total, it said 140 children were referred to its Santa pop-up shop and 204 joined in the party, where a toy was given to every child that attended.

Ms Martindale said all the help was offered because of the cost of living crisis, and the charity had helped 5,000 people this year, up 1,500 on last year.

"We have never had to run this at every school holiday, especially Christmas," she said, "but we have been lucky enough to get £1,000 funding from NISA Local to pay for this food."

All the presents that were donated were wrapped by volunteers

On Monday, 84 people were given a fresh food parcel, the charity said, which included meat, vegetables and dairy products.

One parent, who did not want to be named, said: "Our Christmas tree has never been lit with presents."

Another said: "The weight it has been lifted off my shoulders is a massive help.

"As I've never received any help as a working parent, this is amazing and truly helpful."

Ms Martindale said: "I feel proud to be able to be in the situation where we can offer support."

Parents supported by the charity have praised the efforts of volunteers