Cheltenham-based Caring for Communities and People (CCP) have received a huge helping hand from a Tewkesbury-owned bakery supply firm.

In The Park Limited, who supply cafés in the Montpellier and Pitville areas of Cheltenham, have pledged to complete a 'bake-a-thon' challenge which will support CCP's now-annual Hamper Scamper Appeal.

CCP works to tackle the causes and effects of homelessness, family breakdown and exclusion. With a head office in Cheltenham, it operates across the South West and its Hamper Scamper Appeal aims to provide children with presents to boost their enjoyment of the Christmas period.

A CCP spokesman said: "Every year, we challenge business communities and donors to fulfil more than 2,000 hamper requests and gifts for children that are referred to us through partner agencies working with families struggling to make ends meet.

"In The Park pledged to bake 2,400 Christmas cakes which will be placed into the food Hampers. This will last over 24 days, with the last 24 hours dedicated to packing the Christmas cakes."

Susannah Moffat, from In The Park, said: "Every Christmas we try to do something for local charities. As a café company, community is at the forefront of everything we do - we've arranged carol concerts, food collection points, raffles and activity trails, but this year we wanted to go all-out to help with the cost-of-living crisis so many are experiencing in our community.

"We loved the idea of Hamper Scamper providing above and beyond the basics at Christmas, to make sure no-one goes without a little bit of luxury. It got us thinking and naturally it had to be a Christmas Cake!"

Danial Chun, director of engagement at CCP, added: "Hamper Scamper is truly a whole community endeavour and In The Park have taken up the challenge to lend their passion, expertise and desire to do good by ensuring every hamper we send contains a delicious locally baked Christmas Pudding. This, along with the other festive items we are looking to put in each hamper will go some way to help alleviate some of the stress of the festive period and the pressure it places on house hold budgets, when everyone is cutting back.'