Staff at the Ipswich office of property firm Savills have raised nearly £200 for Families in Need in Ipswich.

Instead of exchanginig “Secret Santa” gifts, they have donated money for the purchase of supplies for the food bank which is operated by the charity year-round, not just at Christmas.

It is the second year running that colleagues at Savills have supported the charity, known for short as FIND, which works to help families in financial hardship.

Geraldine Lofthouse, who organised the collection, said: “We began liaising with FIND earlier in the year so we could establish a thorough list of what items they needed and also made sure we got these to them in good time.

“In addition to the store cupboard items people have donated we are also planning to give fresh vegetables, fruit and long life milk with money we received as donations.”