HOMELESS people living in a Runcorn hostel have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the community.

Creative Support Halton Lodge, previously known as the YMCA, has received gifts and donations from individuals and various organisations.

Halton Credit Union collected £137 towards food and presents.

Rivendell Garden Centre donated a real Christmas tree to make the communal space more festive.

Rowlands Pharmacy contributed £200.

Residents have been donating warm clothing and shoes to help with the cold weather.

Chester University staff have provided decorations, treats and goodies.

Lydia O'Hara, activities and engagement worker for the hostel, said: “We have been really touched by the generosity of the local community.

“The impact even a very small gesture can have on someone’s day can be massive so to be given the opportunity to use donations to help all of our residents feel a bit special over the festive period is fantastic.”

Caseworkers work tirelessly with residents to help them get back on their feet, improve confidence and independence and eventually move on to a place of their own.

The hostel accommodates people from all walks of life with a range of different needs, but one common thread is that they all have stories to tell.

The festive season can be a particularly hard time; many will spend their Christmas at the hostel without friends or family to go to.

With this in mind staff do everything they can to make it a special, happy, fun occasion, full of all the usual joys of Christmas - food, laughter and quality time shared with other people.

Activities have been put on to get everyone in the mood.

Residents have been making Christmas cards, decorations, chocolate logs and more.

Staff are running a prize draw as an advent calendar every day to pick a resident to give a chocolate Santa which has been going down very well.

Anyone interested in making any donations or volunteering at Creative Support Halton Lodge can e-mail lydia.ohara@creativesupport.org.uk or call 01928 591680.