IT REALLY was the season of giving in the Ceiriog Valley last month as a council provided special gifts to vulnerable members of the communities.

More than 40 festive goodwill hampers were distributed across the region by Glyntraian Community Council in the run up to Christmas Day.

The idea was suggested by Councillors Robin Boston, Merle Hunt and Chris Futcher, Pontfadog resident Ian Masters, the council clerk and community agent.

Named Hugs and Hampers, the scheme aimed to ensure no vulnerable person or family in the small ward of Glyntraian went without food or a small but meaningful gift this Christmas.

Community agent, Davena Davies, provides a confidential signposting and support service across the region.

Funded by Wrexham Council, but managed by Glyntraian, she works closely with local community health and wellbeing providers, including GP surgeries and the Wrexham and Llangollen Rural Food Banks, to identify those in most pressing need of wellbeing advice and support.

In all, 45 gifts and food hampers were delivered with donations ranging from large food parcels to feed a family of five, to children’s toys and activity books.

Cllr Hunt said she is pleased to see the scheme benefit so many people.

She said: “We piloted the Hugs and Hampers scheme last year with great success. We have been pleased to again offer help to local residents suffering either extreme financial hardship, trauma, serious illness, mental health issues, loss or loneliness this Christmas.

“We are so grateful to local businesses and individuals across the valley, Oswestry and Llangollen who generously supported the scheme by donating foodstuffs, produce, gifts or cash donations.

"The response from donors and recipients alike has been incredibly heart-warming.”