A Sandbach church has donated cash and gifts to a Crewe-based project which supports families in need.

The Church on Ettiley Heath donated £20 plus gifts of food to the Chance Changing Lives which supports around 170 local families and distributes items of food.

The church continues to support the project which also holds a Saturday Kitchen providing hot meals where people in need glad to tuck into some vital sustenance.

Members of its Community Pantry contribute £3 per week and in exchange receive up to £20 worth of food, toiletries and household products.

Michele Parks, general manager of the charity and the rest of her team wrote in a letter to Edna Lawton at the Church on Ettiley Heath thanking her for the donation.

"As you know it is families and children who often bear the brunt of poverty, struggling to pay the rent, heat and eat, especially at Christmas.

"One of our Pantry member's story was most distressing – a woman who could only afford to have the heating on for an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening - she has a new baby and a toddler," said Michele.

"Because of donations like yours we were able to make sure this lady got heating advice and a grant, warm clothing and blankets for her family and a cot and mattress for her daughter.

"With your help we have been able to take new, educational and fun Christmas presents to all our members' children, 40 of our older Pantry members have again received a lovely hamper, all other members received a supermarket voucher for £10 to help with the cost of Christmas.

"We have applied for heating grants and have been successful for many, bringing warmth to homes when it is most needed.

"Our homeless kitchen continues to provide hot meals every Saturday. Your Waitrose frozen peas will go down well with our popular roast dinners.

"This year we were able to celebrate Christmas Day with our guests. We gave gifts to all and for our women a small pamper pack with luxury items, a selection box, alongside our usual toiletries, warm clothes, socks, and period products.

"In 2022, we will launch a nurse clinic alongside our podiatry and counselling services for our homeless and vulnerable guests.

"Our Pantry will continue to provide free fruit and vegetables to all our members in addition to our offer of £20 of food for just £3, chosen with dignity each week from our shelves and fridges.

"Your lovely gifts were on the shelves before Christmas, and they are proving a big success!

"Again, thank you so much for helping us to provide a healthier, brighter future for local people in the greatest need.

"I hope that you had a happy, safe and healthy Christmas and wish you and everyone at the Church on Ettiley Heath a very happy and peaceful New Year."

Edna says she is delighted to receive such a lovely thank you from the charity and will be continuing to provide support.

"I am hoping to have a food collection box in our Community Centre all the time so that people visiting the hall can donate," she told Sandbach Nub News.