THIS year, it is with regret that Braintree Salvation Army will not be able to offer our usual Christmas Day community meal and home delivery service.

We are sad about this and know this will come as a disappointment to previous guests and volunteers alike.

However, it should still be possible for us to deliver a frozen Christmas lunch and other seasonal items to anyone in the Braintree, Witham and Halstead areas who might need them.

We intend to do this by door step delivery on December 23-24, so the food is ready for Christmas Day.

Volunteer delivery drivers are invited to offer for hourly slots 10am until 3pm on each of these days. Masks and gloves will be provided.

The support we give to families with children who need toys and/or food over Christmas will be unchanged and will take place as in previous years.

Referrals from readers are welcome.

For Christmas dinners contact me on 01376 323539.

For family support ring Captain Richard Wearmouth on 01376 346487. Previous users of our services will be contacted directly, so there is no need to speak to us on their behalf.

All costs will be met from public donations, so all support given will be free of charge to recipients.

David Mann

Salvation Army

High Garrett

Bocking