Despite being inundated themselves with presents for patients, staff at Stevenage’s Lister Hospital organised their own collection of food and other goods to help families in need.

In total, more than 40 boxes were collected by staff at the Coreys Mill Lane hospital and were shared between the Stevenage Community Food Bank and Letchworth Foodbank, which also serves Baldock and Hitchin.

“We receive tremendous support from our local community,” said Nick Carver, chief executive at the East and North Herts NHS Trust which runs the hospital.

“It makes such a difference to us when someone does something to help us, so our team thought it would be good to give something back.

“The staff have been really generous, and we have been sharing their donations among local food banks.”