A BARRY businessman is urging people to give hard-up families a Christmas treat - by donating food that can be distributed to people in need throughout the Vale.

Hot Diggidy Dog entrepreneur Simon Llewellyn kicked off the drive by donating his chilli and family-favourite sauces to the Vale Foodbank, in an effort to spice up some of the plain donated staples such as pasta and rice.

The foodbank service, staffed by a team of 25 volunteers with more helping at supermarket collections, has fed 1,960 people - of whom 763 were children under 16 - since it began in October last year.

Dad-of-one Simon, who normally sells his sauce in Tesco, Asda, Selfridges and selected stores in Barry and the Vale, said: "It's tough times at the moment. "I was fortunate to have help from family when I first started the business, although for about 18 months it was a real struggle.

"Others are not quite as fortunate, so I decided to help where I can.

"I would urge others to help as well, as a little goes a long way - even if it’s a can of beans when you do your local shop, it would be well received.

Former serviceman Simon has donated batches of his original Hot Diggidy Dog sauce and the family-orientated Zeblaa table sauce.

“Hopefully our sauces will add a little extra to basic foods,” he added.

Vale Foodbank co-ordinator Susan Lloyd-Selby said the service works with 45 distribution partners across the Vale - including support services such as social workers, health visitors, CAB, care agencies and voluntary sector agencies.

"They decide if someone is in crisis or not, and if they require food they give them a security-coded voucher which the person brings to one of our centres to exchange for a free food parcel,” she explained. "Each parcel provides enough nutritionally balanced food for three days.

"We are already seeing increasing numbers of people requiring support, and this is likely to rise.

"We are very grateful to Simon for his support."

Foodbank Christmas:

THE Foodbank works with the Big Wrap to provide Christmas hampers to families and young people across the Vale who might otherwise struggle. "We try to provide some extra treats in the hampers,” said Susan.

A Christmas wish-list of donations includes selection boxes, Christmas pudding, cakes, savoury biscuits, crisps, ham, tinned vegetables, coffee, chocolates, family packs of biscuits, and fresh fruit.

Christmas presents and food can be taken to the Foodbank in opening hours – visit Coastlands, Winston Road, Mondays (2-3pm) and Thursdays (4.30-6pm); or Bethesda, Dinas Powys on Wednesdays (1.30-2.30pm). The Vale Council also has a collection point in the Civic Offices, Holton Road.

Hampers will be distributed from December 14 onwards.

* For more information contact Susan Lloyd-Selby on 01446 410782 or email slloydselby@yahoo.com