FRESH food and treat packs have been delivered to families who have been struggling during the lockdown period.

Charity Tunza's Pride launched the Helping Hands project, funded by a grant award from The Wooden Spoon Charity who donated £2,500 towards the cost of allocating 30 fresh food and treat packs to deserving families in St Helens.

The families have really struggled throughout the lockdown period for various reasons - they may have someone in the household with a disability, parents who have had a big loss of income and in some cases a member of the family who has been ill during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tunza founder Ian Smith said: "The families are ones we usually work with at The Tunza Centre and in a few cases were signposted to Tunza by an individual or local agency as a vulnerable family who would benefit from receiving a pack of fresh products and treats.

"Each family received an individual package tailored for their own likes and included fruit, vegetables, meat and sweets.

The Wooden Spoon charity is focused on helping children all around the UK and the local group granted Tunza this award so we could reach out to some St Helens based families to bring some cheer during what has been a very difficult three months."

One beneficiary, Jane, said: 'What a surprise to receive a visit from Ian and Tunza to drop off a big box of goodies.

"Lockdown has been really tough as we have had to self-isolate and hardly been through the front door. Our children have missed out on so much and receiving this gift has brightened us all up. Thank you to everyone behind this wonderful idea.'

Packs were dropped off to all areas of town over a two-week period.