A community organisation, supported by more than 50 volunteers has received a cash boost to help them continue to bring kindness to elderly people in Royston this Christmas.

Royston Crow: The Warmth in Winter gift packs.The Warmth in Winter gift packs. (Image: Archant)

North Herts District Council’s Royston and District Area Committee awarded charitable enterprise Small Acts of Kindness £300 to help towards providing and distributing gift bags to older people who live in the area.

Each Warmth in Winter gift pack is free for anyone over 55 who needs it and contains a large fleecy blanket, thermal socks, a hat and gloves, a mug and a selection of hot drinks and soup.

Councillor Fiona Hill is chairman of the area committee.

“This is a wonderful initiative that helps to keep our older, more vulnerable residents warm in winter time,” she said.

“Small Acts of Kindness hope to distribute the gift bags to people in need across the whole of the district with the help of North Herts CVS, North Herts Community Transport and Hertfordshire Independent Living Services.

“However, the funding approved by the Royston committee is to help those who live in the area.”

Small Acts of Kindness has been successfully operating since 2014, and, in 2015, generous donations enabled Small Acts of Kindness to source and distribute more than 800 Warm in Winter gift packs, each one costing them £25.

This year they are hoping this cash boost and other donations will help them deliver more than 2000 gift bags.

The funding allocation also means that all of the district council’s area committees together have given £2,100 to the project in total.

Small Acts of Kindness’ chief executive and founder is Lynne Misner. She said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this funding which will help us distribute Warm in Winter gift bags to some of the most vulnerable people in the community.

“We welcome nominations from anyone who is over 55 and is cold in their home or from anyone who knows someone who is.

“We thank North Herts District Council’s Royston and District Committee for their kind support for our work.”

As well as Royston, Small Acts of Kindness aim to deliver 150 Warm in Winter gift bags to people living in Ashwell, Baldock, Hitchin, Letchworth, Knebworth and Whitwell.

They also donate Celebrate Christmas gift packs to help people have a more enjoyable time over the festive period.

If you know anyone who may benefit from a pack, or you wish to help deliver them call 01923 372717 or email info@smallactsofkindness.co.uk or go to www.smallactsofkindness.co.uk.