Families in the Wellington area have benefited from the kindness of local butcher Tim Potter’s customers this week with deliveries of meat and vegetable packs for Christmas Day lunch.

Customers had generously provided enough funding so that more than 50 families were able to receive the packs, having been nominated by local schools.

The packs were put together by staff at the shop and delivered by Cllr Andrew Govier, his wife Jacqui and two members of staff from local schools, Mandie Huggett and Tracey Sellick.

Local county councillor Andrew Govier, who co-ordinated delivery of the packs with the help of shop staff and representatives from the local schools, said: "It was tremendously generous of Tim’s customers to donate these funds and the families were delighted to get the packs.

"We know that this has been another tough year for local families and Tim’s ’Potter’s Pounds’ scheme has been a real lifeline throughout the year. It was really lovely to see the looks on people’s faces when I dropped the packs off."

The ’Potter’s Pounds’ scheme was launched a couple of years ago and has ensured that hundreds of local families have had nutritious meat and vegetable packs, either delivered or collected from the shop.

The scheme is based on the ’pay forward’ scheme which allows customers to make a donation when they shop at Tim’s town centre shop. The schools have been supportive and provided lists of names of families who would appreciate the support.

Cllr Govier added: "Tim and his staff are always so helpful, and they put the packs together with the help of other businesses, including the Co-op which provides a chocolate treat for the children.

"There has been a real sense that people needed support again this Christmas. I was talking to the staff at the foodbank last week and they had seen a huge uptake in the use of their services over the last few months.

"They have also been working with the local schools to provide holiday food packs that ensure that families get basic food supplies during the school holidays when children don’t get their school lunches."