Asda colleagues go out of their way to help their local communities celebrate Christmas

Thank you to all our community champions who've been pulling out all the stops to bring some festive cheer to people in their local areas in the run-up to Christmas.

Here's Nicky Pelling from our Bournemouth store delivering an Extra Special festive hamper from the store as well as 50 Christmas cards made by pupils at Moordown St John's Primary School to manager Tracy Frankcom and deputy manager Grace Trinidade at the nearby Talbot View care home.

Nicky has worked closely with the school over the last three years and spoke to head teacher Peter Herbert about the idea of sending Christmas cards when she visited with Pudsey Bear as part of this year's BBC Children in Need activity.

She said: "The children understand the impact Covid has had on so many people, and I think it's so nice that they are thinking of older people – some of whom might not have relatives, and some of whom may not be able to see their loved ones.

"It feels really nice to know that something as simple as sending a hamper or delivering some cards will mean something to somebody who could be feeling lonely this Christmas."

Deputy care home manager Grace said: "We're so grateful to Nicky for organising this – it really meant a lot to receive the hamper and cards. The residents loved it!

"The last two years have been so difficult for us carers and our residents, so you can imagine how much Nicky's gesture meant to us. When she came round it really warmed our hearts. It was beautiful.

"It makes a difference knowing that people like Nicky and companies like Asda are thinking of us and our residents, particularly at this time of year."

This Christmas Nicky has also arranged donations of care packages for the Dorsetmums Christmas Gifts of Love Appeal for local isolated elderly people, provided items for gift bags for Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, donated Extra Special goodies for a raffle at Linwood School and arranged collections for Amelia's Rainbow – a charity supporting children with life-limiting conditions

Nicky said: "It's been a difficult couple of years for so many people, and I think it's important to think about the people and groups that might otherwise not be front of mind and let them know that we're thinking of them.

"In my role as a community champion I feel I'm making a difference by being able to help the local community."