Leighton-Linslade Helpers were town’s Christmas heroes

The voluntary group estimated that demand had doubled due to the tough tiered restrictions that were imposed last month, with its work providing a significant lifeline in the town since it was first established in March.

But determined to keep festive spirits alive and see that no-one struggled, the team worked very hard to deliver goods, and even found the time to organise a virtual light switch-on, as well as a hamper delivery.

Speaking at Christmastime, June Tobin, lead co-ordinator, said: “It’s got very busy these last three or four weeks. We have had new customers come on board, particularly from the hospitality industry.

“A lot of people have been working on zero hour contracts or had their overtime or hours cut. They are people usually in work, but who are really struggling.

“The phones have gone absolutely crazy. People are ringing us at 11 at night because they have just discovered us.”

June told the LBO that, worringly, the number of families isolating [due to receiving positive test results] increased compared to in April and May, whilst the Leighton Listeners telephone list had also grown.

However, to lift the town’s morale during the uncertain times, the team organised a ‘Virtual Christmas Light Turn On’, and asked families to send in clips of themselves turning on their displays.

June added: “Our video has got about 2,200 views and counting! We had songs from Fiona Harrison, and some bloopers, and songs from Nick Beggs. They both came to the warehouse to record it.

“We also had a personal message from Wagner (from the X Factor), and Cleo Papworth, the daughter of one of our helpers, said a thank you.

“It was really fun and there were some great displays from houses, particularly on Orion Way and Russell Way.”

Meanwhile, the busy team also organised a Christmas hamper donation to vulnerable families in the town, which included turkeys donated by the Leighton-Linslade truck convoy.

June explained: “We sent out 20 Christmas hampers to families. People were overwhelmed and crying, saying they didn’t understand why we had singled them out.

“These are people we have known for the last five months and who we know are in times of hardship. Some are elderly, and very sick and housebound. We just decided to cheer them up and we did a couple of special ones which included presents for children.”

The Leighton-Linslade Helpers have been overwhelmed by the generosity of people, describing a recent van-load of donations, and the kindness of people during what has been a really difficult financial year.

They were also humbled to receive reverse Advent calendar donations, which was the idea of helper Edwina Wontner Osborne, to encourage people to put one food bank item a day into a box during Advent, and then donate it.

June concluded: “I would like to thank every single volunteer past and present who has helped us. At any one time we have a core team of between 30 to 40 people and without them we would not be able to do this.

“Thank you also to Leighton-Linslade Town Council for the taskforce that was set up, and for helping with expenses for the first six months.

“Our registration as a charity will happen any day now.”

You can donate food bank items at Morrisons. For ways to donate money: https://www.facebook.com/groups/llhelpers/

To seek support from the Leighton-Linslade Helpers during the new national lockdown, call: 0300 300 8186.