The extent of festive cheer brought to families in the Axe Valley struggling through the Christmas period because of COVID-19 has been revealed in a letter to Seaton Town Council.

Andrew Gwyn Davies, director of Re:store Axe Valley, the community interest company (CIC) set up to continue what had been established by the Seaton Coronavirus Community Group, wrote to the council detailing how the town had come together to help those in need.

The CIC was set up by Ben Tucker, Simon Smith, Carly Dean-Tribble and Andrew Gwyn Davies with the aim of building on the help provided by volunteers, along with the strong sense of community that has emerged. 

The community group was established in March 2020 to support everyone in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Volunteers assisted those who were isolated and vulnerable, provided support and kept the community informed during uncertain times.

Mr Gwyn Davies wrote to the council outlining the initiatives put in place to support those in need during the Christmas period and to thank the town council for their financial support.

A food package/hamper was put together for each family with a book (applicable to age) and vouchers to spend in a local business for each child.

The scheme was supported by local businesses with discounts and offers and they in turn benefited with the issuing of vouchers to spend locally.

As a result of the £6,000 raised, 108 families received food hampers and a food voucher with a total of 185 children receiving a gift-wrapped book and £15 of vouchers to spend.

Mr Gwyn Davies said the £1,000 grant from Seaton Town Council enabled them to widen the catchment area further than originally intended so that more families and children in the Axe Valley could benefit.

He said: "Local schools have been incredible in their support of the scheme and the reaction from the community, schools and recipients has been fantastic."

Here are two examples:

"Thanks so much. What a lovely gesture. I'm struggling financially at the moment so this means a lot."

"I wanted to say a big thank you for the generosity and kindness of the Re:store team and community this year.

"We have been fortunate to receive the Christmas hamper and it will make a difference to us, and especially the children, overt the Christmas period.

"The hamper means that we can add some of those nice extras to our celebration this year."

Mr Gwyn Davies said the support from Seaton Town Council had been "amazing – not only financially but also by allowing the scheme to utilise the council offices as a base for operations as well as the volunteering support of individual councillors".

He concluded his letter by saying: "It was great to see the local community and council pull together as one, helping support and Re:store some Christmas cheer to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic."