Children, staff and parents at a nursery have been collecting food parcels for those in need over the Christmas period.

Those associated with Horwich Day Nursery have collected numerous boxes worth of food that will set to Homeless Aid Bolton to help them feed people over the festive period.

The nursery has been doing similar collections for the past four years to help spread a bit of joy at a difficult time of year for those experiencing homelessness.

The donations include crisps, biscuits, tinned food, cereal and juice, among other things.

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The food has been collated into Christmas hampers, ready to be delivered to the charity.

Owner of the nursery Sheen Dad says that he children "absolutely enjoyed" being able to help in this way.

She added: "We would like to say a big thank you to our parents, children, and families for their kind donations. We could not have done this without your help.

"The manager, Lucy, has done a great job organising the collection and helping to distribute the donations."

The Bolton News: Owner Sheen Dad proudly displays the nursery's hard workOwner Sheen Dad proudly displays the nursery's hard work (Image: Horwich Day Nursery)

Billa Ahmed, co-founder of Homeless Aid Bolton, was thankful for the donations from Horwich Day Nursery and says that donations like this are essential to those struggling to pay for food right now.

"This is what keeps our group running," he added.

"We are a community group. We shouldn't have to exist. 

"Everything is run by the community. We don't get any government funding. We work off 100 per cent donations.

"I take my hat off to our volunteers.

"We have thousands of people coming to use our food bank right now. It's not looking good.

"In the cost-of-living crisis it's not just homeless people needing our help. It's working people. Families. People from every demographic."

Billa says the hampers they give out are a "decent size" and all of the food is in date.

If you or someone you know might need the help of Homeless Aid Bolton, contact them on 0800 124 4641 at any time of email info@homeslessaid.co.uk.

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at lewis.finney@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @lewisfinney18.