Families who struggle during the Christmas period have been given a helping hand from a Norwich organisation.

Future, based in Motum Road, Norwich, held a Christmas party for families who would not otherwise have been able to celebrate the festive season.

On Sunday, December 18 Children took part in art activities and decorated baubles for their Christmas trees and they also listened to a storyteller.

Future operations manager Daniel Childerhouse said: 'Every year we provide hampers to families who are going to struggle with Christmas. Last year we made 12 but this year we had a request for 70.

'With students from City College Norwich, we held a world skills day to give families and children a Christmas party that they would not otherwise have.'

Mr Childerhouse praised the Norwich Food Bank for their help and support after the charity provided nutritious meals and goodies for the hampers.

'We are the largest users of the foodbank. I don't know what we would have done without their help.

'We saw a massive increase this year in the number of people who needed support. We provide support all year round.

'Everybody pulled together, people who received hampers helped to pack them.'

Local businesses including Bernard Matthews, Kettle Foods, NELM Development Trust, Blackfriars Rotary Norwich and Almory Green Financial Advisers donated towards the hampers and the charity also received a personal donation from Julie Grimmer of Larking Gowen.

Mr Childerhouse added: 'We are very thankful to everyone who donated to us. We are looking forward to 2012.'

Future works to combat social exclusion and delivers services and activities including education, leisure activities, media training, music studio facilities and training, ICT facilities, community radio broadcasting and training.

To find out more about Future Projects, visit www.nr5project.co.uk