HUNDREDS of hampers are being delivered to Oxfordshire’s most vulnerable families to make sure they have something to celebrate at Christmas.

Each year, the Oxford branch of the Salvation Army launches ‘Operation Christmas’, a push to hand out food and a few Christmas gifts to hard-up families across the county.

In addition to handing out 250 Christmas hampers to people identified by social services as being in need, 450 toys have been collected to give to children along with the ingredients for hearty meals.

And for those who might otherwise by lonely on Christmas Day, there will be Christmas dinner at the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre in St Ebbe’s.

The Christmas push would not be possible without the generosity of local residents, who donate food and toys to the appeal, along with contributing to the collection to fund the operation.

It costs in the region of £5,000, all of which is donated by Oxford people as they pass the Salvation Army’s band as they sing carols in Queen Street.

Captain Mark Wolstenholme said: “It’s a busy old time for us but we do it because people matter and we do it because it is a practical expression of God’s love and what we think Christmas is all about.”