A MOTHER'S reverse advent calendar initiative has helped to feed those in need over winter.

Helen George, who runs the Radcliffe Parents and Carers Facebook group, organised a Christmas campaign to support the Caritas-run foodbank at the ROC Centre.

In total 68 boxes, each containing about 25 items, were donated, after generous residents chose to give food items instead of eating chocolates from an advent calendar.

Helen posted: "A huge thank you goes out to every single one of you that donated food for our collection. It has been a huge success. We collected approximately 1,700 items in less than one month."

"We had five full cars drive in convoy to the ROC. Sister Joan from Caritas was thrilled and couldn’t believe we’d collected so much."