DOZENS of Dorset families have been given a helping hand and a Happy Christmas thanks to a project jointly run by two good causes.

Weymouth’s Salvation Army collected 90 large bags of food which will be distributed among 45 needy families by homeless prevention service First Point.

Ann Axenskold, who helped organise the Salvation Army food drive, said each family will receive two bags of food.

“One will have the basic food stuffs – carrots, tins of potatoes – and for the other we’ve tried to make it a bit more fun with things like Christmas pudding.

“If the families have children we do try to make it special. It must be very worrying to be in that position.”

The food, which has been donated by individuals and businesses through to the Salvation Army campaign, is designed to last the families over Christmas and New Year.

Ann added: “Hopefully it will just give them some help. If they know where their next meal is coming from it is one less thing to worry about.”

First Point, based in Dorchester, works to help families which are vulnerable and at risk of becoming homeless.

Their service covers Weymouth and Portland, West Dorset, Purbeck, North Dorset, East Dorset and Christchurch and offers practical advice on everything from rent arrears to moving on from hospital or supported housing.

Ann said she wanted to thank everyone who donated or helped with the campaign.

“It’s an incredible amount of food we’ve collected. People have been so kind – from the big supermarkets to individuals and even little children who put in some jelly or a tin of beans. This appeal has really caught people’s imagination, because it’s Christmas.”

Ann said she wished to thank the Dorset Echo for helping publicise the Salvation Army’s work.

But she warned that there is a continual need to help vulnerable people.

“The Salvation Army is the first point of call for most people who come to Weymouth and are homeless.

“We never turn anyone away, it’s all about helping people without judging.”

A SPOKESMAN for First Point said: “Christmas is a difficult time of year for many people accessing the service.

“When faced with eviction, debt or welfare benefit sanctions it’s easy to feel excluded from seasonal festivities.

"A Christmas dinner is unrealistic when relying on food bank parcels and the cold weather bites a little more for people facing the decision to eat or to heat.

“Each year First Point is overwhelmed by the generosity of people supporting the appeal, and would like to send heartfelt thanks to everyone who has donated.”