A PAIR of Good Samaritans are expanding a scheme to help the elderly and those who are alone this Christmas.

Friends Joanne Magro-Boorman, 29, and Rebecca Noakes, 39, are collecting donations towards hampers for people who may need support during the festive season.

Having set the scheme up last year, full-time mum Mrs Magro-Boorman, of Little Bardfield, is expanding into Finchingfield and hopes they can beat last year’s total of 11 hampers.

She said: “I started this last year when my daughter, Persephone, was 18 months old when I realised I wanted her to learn what the real meaning of Christmas was, not just receiving presents.

“There was no time like the present to start and we live in a village that is quite close and everyone knows each other so we asked if anyone was going to be alone at Christmas.

“We are asking people to donate food or bottles of wine and also some presents that can be wrapped up so they will get something to open as well as a hamper.

“Our local Quaker House has offered the room for free so we can put the hampers together there on December 21.”

Mrs Magro-Boorman’s husband, Peter Boorman, is the designated driver.

Mrs Noakes, of Howe Street, Finchingfield, said: “It will also help people who are unable to travel or can’t get anywhere.”

To donate, call 07590397178 or e-mail joannemagro@yahoo.co.uk