A local retailer is donating £100,000 towards helping local people in the region stay warm and fed this winter. 

The East of England Co-op, which has food stores across the east of England, has diverted the money from its Christmas marketing budget. 

It is working with Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex Community Foundations to ensure that the money goes to those in need. 

Of the £100,000 - £70,000 will be split across warm hubs in the region and £30,000 will be donated to 25 local foodbanks. 

Warm hubs have been set up across the east of England and are designed to provide a warm space, food, and drink to people in need. 

The foodbank donations will be given to struggling families in the form of vouchers, which can be used to pay for items such as food, electricity and gas top-ups from the East of England Co-op. 

“Warm hubs have been created in the face of spiralling energy costs and demand on foodbanks this winter is expected to be unprecedented," said Niall O’Keeffe, from the East of England Co-op.

"In these difficult times, we have been compelled to do more than we have ever done before.

"Re-directing our marketing spend to help people directly was morally the right decision knowing the difference the money will make to those most in need in our community.

“We are working closely with Suffolk Community Foundation to ensure this is a donation not just for Christmas, but that will continue to make a difference right through the winter and in particular the tough first few months of the year when there is typically a fall in charitable giving.”

One of the organisations benefiting from the donation is Reach Haverhill foodbank in Suffolk. 

“As the nights draw in and it is getting colder, more families need help from our foodbank than at any other time in our 14-year history," said Henry Wilson from Reach Haverhill foodbank.

"We have already fed more children in 2022 than any other year and we still have weeks to go.

"Therefore, the very generous donation of vouchers for food and heating is incredibly welcome.

"We value the dignity that vouchers afford people, giving them far more choice and empowering families who find themselves facing a financial crisis and hardship.”