FAMILIES living in pockets of poverty in the Cotswolds are being thrown a lifeline this Christmas thanks to kind-hearted residents.

Community Awareness (CA), a voluntary group which provides families with basic necessities including children’s clothes, toys and nursery equipment, is spreading some festive cheer by donating food and gifts to 60 families and more than 100 children.

The charity is providing 36 families with Santa sacks bursting with presents which have been donated by parents at Dormer House School in Moreton, along with toys, books, games and stationery paid for by a generous donation from North Cotswold Rotary Club.

Twenty-four of the most needy families will receive special boxes of meat donated by Todenham Manor Farm along with vegetables, biscuits and sweets from Guy Warner, owner of Budgens.

Meg Adamson, one of the CA founder members, said: “Without the kind support of local people and organisations we would struggle to help the children in these families who, through no fault of their own, find themselves in such unhappy circumstances.

We try to give assistance throughout the year, but Christmas time is particularly hard on parents with little or no money”.

A recent curry supper and quiz night, organised by the CA committee, raised more than £1,500 and the Conservative Party Moreton Branch raised about £500 at their Christmas drinks evening which will be shared with CA and St David’s School.

Val Ayres, CA member, said the charity supported people living in Stow, Moreton and Bourton-on-the-Water and the surrounding villages where there were surprisingly, pockets of poverty.

“A lot of people live in a bit of a bubble,” she added. “It’s very hard for people to comprehend there’s this level of poverty in such a beautiful area.” If you would like to help the Community Awareness Group or make a donation, call Meg Adamson on 01608 652197 or email megadamson@ hotmail.co.uk.