Rushmoor Voluntary Services (RVS) will be distributing boxes of seasonal treats to disadvantaged and isolated people in Rushmoor thanks to a donation from housing association VIVID.

Local beneficiaries of this gift include: Creating Futures Charity (supporting young people), clients of RVS’ Home Help and Transport Services, and children and families from Mayfield Community Partnership.

The donation is part of a Hampshire-wide Christmas charity initiative by VIVID that will see 11 small charities across the county receive around 800 festive treat boxes to give away to those struggling to afford seasonal treats.

30 boxes were collected by Greg Alexander, Chief Executive of Rushmore Voluntary Services who’ll be using them to support people from some of the borough’s most disadvantaged areas to brighten their Christmas a little.

The gift boxes were individually filled and signed by staff at VIVID’s recent Creating Bright Futures staff training event. Each box contains a selection of goodies – from biscuits and mince pies to popcorn, cheese straws and hot chocolate - that offer some cheer to a range of recipients, young and old.

Greg said: “We’re delighted to support VIVID with this fantastic initiative to bring a little joy at Christmas to people in our area who are often isolated, lonely or in need of a little cheer.”

VIVID chief executive Mark Perry said: “Wellbeing and bright futures are at the heart of what we aim to offer our customers and at this time of year we wanted to find a way to spread that vision to others. The boxes are going to support the work of some of Hampshire’s great smaller charities. As well as RVS, they’ll be used by foodbanks, victims of domestic abuse, crisis centres, shelters for homeless veterans, isolated elderly and young people facing neglect and difficult backgrounds.”