A MUM and her children are making Christmas hampers to help bring a smile to the faces of needy families over the festive season.

Stella Richardson, 44, from Weymouth wants to help families who are struggling, who may be ‘too proud’ to ask for help.

She is asking parents to nominate people who they feel could do with a boost this Christmas – the deadline for donations is this Sunday, December 15.

Two schools have already got behind the project and Miss Richardson says she hopes others will join in too.

Miss Richardson said: “With people on Universal Credit and struggling financially more people are going to food banks. When we used a B&B for temporary accommodation, we used food banks too.

“But you have to meet certain criteria to be able to use a food bank – I don’t think many people realise that, you have to have been referred there. We don’t meet the criteria anymore and are still struggling, but I wouldn’t think to go there.”

Miss Richardson added: “It’s a pride thing. I think people aren’t asking for help as much nowadays. Christmas can be a difficult time of year, especially for families and people who have nothing.”

She has decided to organise a ‘can drive’ to give something back to those families.

Children from Budmouth Academy and Compass are getting involved.

She said: “Each child is told to bring something which I collect from the schools and put into hampers to donate to people who have been nominated. Parents have been given a newsletter with details about how to nominate people.”

So far, a total of 11 nominations have been made. Miss Richardson says people have been ‘very kind’ with their donations. She and her children will be putting some of the goods together to make Christmas hampers, before delivering them to the families who have been nominated.

Some of the items already donated include sweets, hot chocolate, Christmas pudding and pies.

To find out more visit Facebook and search ‘The Christmas Hamper Project’.