Festive goodwill gifts Donated across the community by Glyntraian Community Council

Glyntraian Community Council distributed over 40 festive goodwill gifts to vulnerable members of its community in the Ceiriog Valley in the run up to Christmas Day.

Organised by the council’s community agent, clerk and councillors Robin Boston, Merle Hunt and Chris Futcher, and Pontfadog resident Ian Masters, the Hugs & Hampers scheme aimed to ensure no vulnerable person or family in the small ward of Glyntraian went without food or a small but meaningful gift this Christmas.

Community agent, Davena Davies, provides a confidential signposting and support service. Funded by Wrexham Council, but managed by Glyntraian, she works closely with local community health & wellbeing providers, including GP surgeries and the Wrexham and Llangollen Rural Food Banks to identify those in most pressing need of wellbeing advice and support.

In all, 45 ‘virtual hugs’ in the form of gifts and food hampers were delivered with donations ranging from large food parcels to feed a family of five, to children’s toys and activity books, to biscuits, chocolates and poinsettia plants.

Councillor Merle Hunt said: “We piloted the Hugs & Hampers scheme last year with great success.

“We have been pleased to again offer help to local residents suffering either extreme financial hardship, trauma, serious illness, mental health issues, loss or loneliness this Christmas.

“We are so grateful to local businesses and individuals across the valley, Oswestry and Llangollen who generously supported the scheme by donating foodstuffs, produce, gifts or cash donations. The response from donors and recipients alike has been incredibly heart-warming.”