AN OAKLEY community pantry is raising funds to spread some festive cheer.

The Oakley Community Tower Pantry, which runs out of the Oakley Community Centre, have set up a GoFundMe page to raise money so they can put together Christmas dinner food parcels this year for those who are struggling in their community.

Susan Black volunteers at the pantry and has helped to organise the fundraiser, and she told the Press: "It's coming up to Christmas so we're looking at possibly putting a Christmas dinner together in the bag.

"We've had some food donations, not a lot, but we have been getting some from the public. Whatever our GoFundMe ends with will be put to their Christmas bag so we're aiming to get everyone a Christmas dinner and pudding so that those who are struggling, like everybody else is, will have a meal on Christmas Day.

"Everybody is in the same boat because of the gas and electric so we were hoping to do that."

As well as the fundraiser, the group is also running a raffle with some great prizes on offer, mainly kids' toys, but there's also gift sets, alcohol and ladies' scarves on offer. All the money raised will go right back into the pantry and helping the community.

She continued: "There's really good prizes and obviously they'll help someone out as well!"

Not only will they be putting together the food parcels and running the raffle, the community pantry is also looking to have Santa hand out selection boxes to the children on December 21, the last day of the pantry before the holidays.

The group is aiming to raise a total of £500 through their GoFundMe page. So far, they have raised a whopping £330 but they want to hit their target as their stock supply is dwindling.

Susan added: "We are extremely low on stock and we need all the help we can get to keep it running. As little as £1 will help, it doesn't need to be £10-20, if someone has £1 then that helps too!"

To help the community pantry this festive season, you can hand in food or cash donations to the community centre office, buy a raffle ticket or donate to their GoFundMe page at https://gofund.me/33e6eb72.

Alternatively, if you can provide a Santa suit for the community pantry to use on December 21, reach out to Susan via email at blacksusan1307@gmail.com.