A HEALTHCARE company is inviting the public to donate items to give to the town foodbank a month-long event.

Boots in Braintree is holding a reverse advent calendar event through December.

Team leader in the store, Shannon Conlon, from Halstead, worked for the Boots opticians from 2015 to 2019, before returning recently as team leader since October.

She said: “We are inviting the public to donate different items on different days for us to donate to the Braintree Food Bank.

“It can be essentials such as tinned items, biscuits, toothpaste and a small Christmas gift.

“These will be put into packages by the Food Bank for those who are struggling, any surplus will be shared amongst other food banks in the area.”

Shannon said the idea was always something she had wanted to do.

She said: “I've always wanted to do something like this to help those in need, I already run a volunteer group who write Christmas cards for people who may not otherwise receive any over Christmas.

“I love the feeling that you've spread some cheer at a sometimes lonely and difficult time of year for some.

“My team is just as enthusiastic as me about helping to bring smiles to other's faces.”

She continued: “So far, the response has been very positive, lots of people on social media saying it's a great idea and they're going to donate.

“It's lovely to see the community responding so well to our idea.”

The team is collecting donations at the store, at 2-4 Great Square, Braintree.

They are open 9am to 5.30pm from Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

The shop cannot accept any donations outside opening hours.