AN East Riding charity has been battling the icy weather to deliver hundreds of Christmas hampers to older people.

Age UK East Riding has had an overwhelming response to its annual Caring Christmas Appeal. The charity asked people to donate a shoebox-size Christmas hamper for distribution to isolated and older people in the area.

More than 250 hampers have poured into the Age UK East Riding office in Beverley and its charity shops. The charity is now delivering the hampers – which contain items of food and some luxury items – to homes across the region.

Shoebox hampers have already been distributed to older people in Bridlington, Beverley and Driffield.

Mark Rounding, chief officer of Age UK East Riding, said: “We are very grateful to everyone who has donated a hamper to our appeal, particularly in view of the severe weather.

“We were concerned that this could deter people from bringing the hampers in, but yet again local people have been extremely generous and we know that they are helping to bring a bit of Christmas cheer to older people in our area.

“We are now doing our best to deliver them to as many people as we can in local towns and villages.”

Coun David Rudd, chairman of East Riding Borough Council, said: “Christmas is an occasion for celebration, a time for giving and receiving, a time for sharing and caring for each other and to reflect on those who are less fortunate.

“While being a time of great joy for many, Christmas can also be a time of great sadness and hardship for others; particularly those who are lonely or have recently lost family members or close friends.

“Age UK East Riding’s Christmas hamper appeal has been able to add a little happiness to some people who may be less fortunate than ourselves.”