A KIND-HEARTED group of youngsters from Harwich will spend their Christmas handing out festive hampers to people in need.

Members of Teen Talk’s youth forum, Harwich Inspired Youth Action, are preparing their second Christmas Gift Project in order to share their festive spirit throughout the community.

The group recently held a cake sale to raise £81 to put toward the project, which will see dozens of hampers handed out to local causes.

Baskets of items such as tinned and dried food, toiletries, stationary, crafts and festive treats will be distributed to Harwich and District Foodbank, Colchester Woman’s Refuge and elderly residents at Lime Court Residential Home, in Lime Avenue, Dovercourt.

Cash will be donated by Harwich and Dovercourt Partnership, which is also providing items to include in the hampers.

This year the youngsters have added a personal touch to the presents.

Jodie Hall, Teen Talk support worker, said: “The group raised money by putting on a fantastic cake sale and Harwich and Dovercourt Partnership will be providing funding.

“We will be visiting Lime Court and we’re doing a big hamper for the 40 residents there.

“We will be putting together 65 hampers for the food bank and 21 for Colchester Women’s Refuge, which has a base in Harwich.

“This will definitely be a big help to some of the most vulnerable in our community.”

She added: “The group has loved doing this.

"They have been very enthusiastic about this project and it was actually their idea to make it bigger this year.

“They have been writing Christmas cards to the residents of the home to include in the hampers and adding loads of personal touches to try and tailor the hampers to each person.”

Harwich Inspired Youth Action is a voluntary youth forum of young people aged 11 to 21 from the Harwich area.

The youngsters are now appealing to members of the public to donate towards the scheme.