HUNDREDS of children facing disadvantages have received free activity packs to help cheer them up during lockdown.

Home-Start Colchester started delivering its new Cheer Me Up packs to families four months ago, dropping them off along with their essential foodbank deliveries.

The packs feature toys, games, crafts, sweet treats and even Lego sets, bringing smiles to the faces of youngsters who are bored at home during lockdown.

In total they have delivered nearly 400 to families across Colchester, Clacton and Jaywick.

Shelley Henderson, who manages the Cheer Me Up scheme, said: “We have always done foodbank deliveries for residents but people started asking us if we had other bits and pieces during the deliveries.

“So we applied for some funds and we received around £6,000 to spend.

“We spent the cash with In Kind, which is set to up to help the voluntary sector. It means we were able to get lots of stuff we wouldn’t normally have been able to afford, such as Lego sets.

“Everything included in the packs is designed around what people have been asking us for and we put different things in depending on the age of the children.

“We also put resources inside in case they need them for school such as books and pens.

“We have had donations from local companies as well, like sweets from Asda in Colchester, which have gone in the packs.”

The response has been amazing and the charity are now giving them out to all the families they support.

Shelley said: “The families we support are all on low incomes and they have been really blown away by the packs. It is an uplifting thing to be a part of.

“The children have been leaving heart shaped notes outside the homes for us to pick up when we drop them off.

“The messages have been lovely and it makes the hard work worth it.

“It is difficult too when you see people living in difficult circumstances, but this is about reaching out to people and letting them know there are people out there able to help.”

She added: “We have still got some money left so we will keep going until we run out.

“Everything we bring in goes out to the families in need.”

The charity is always in need of more supporters and volunteers.

If you can help Home-Start Colchester, contact office@homestartcolchester.org.uk or 01206 865349.