Christmas Sparkle Project gives out more presents than ever

This year the group gave out 2,477 presents, up from 2,260 in 2022

A community has given out almost 2,500 Christmas presents to disadvantaged children, more than ever before.

The Christmas Sparkle Project in Somerset collects and wraps presents for vulnerable children aged between 0-18 years old.

This year the group gave out 2,477 presents, up from 2,260 in 2022.

"We knew there'd be an increase," said Gill Harrison, who founded the project in 2015.

"There are more people from different socio-economic groups who are struggling."

Ms Harrison told BBC Radio Somerset that she started the project after hearing about two girls who came into school after Christmas in 2014 with a chocolate coin.

"They were really excited and said: 'Look what we got for Christmas!'," she said.

"That had been their one and only ever Christmas present."

The project hosts wrapping events on weekends and for corporate events

'Pure joy'

The project hosts wrapping events on weekends and for corporate events.

Volunteers will then hand out the presents to schools and other community groups for children.

A tutor wrote to Ms Harrison after giving teenagers at his school some of the presents: "It was a delight to give the students presents and see their reactions - from near-tears with happiness to disbelief and pure joy.

"One of our vulnerable students stated: 'Are you sure? This doesn't happen to me'."

Ms Harrison added: "I think when people are struggling and feeling very isolated, we just know that they feel a little more cared for, that people are caring for them in the community."