FOR the third year in succession, students from RSA Academy Arrow Vale recently put together a bunch of hampers for the elderly in Redditch.

Students from each tutor group brought in a variety of goodies then created and decorated festive packages to hold them – everything from sleighs to gingerbread houses.

The hampers were brought along to Age UK Redditch & District's annual Christmas party for members at Studley Road Social Club, where some of the students helped out with the raffle in which a number of the hampers were given away.

The remainder of the hampers were distributed to other elderly folk in the town through Age UK Redditch & District.

The local charity has 400 members who make around 10,000 visits each year to regular Age UK social, learning and health-related activities. The charity also manages a programme of day trips, holidays and entertainment events.

Additionally, they provide an array of services such as handyperson, home support and dementia advice.

Support for the elderly is always important, but is doubly so at this time of year when Age UK estimates that as many as one in 10 of the over 65s spend Christmas alone.

Peter Nash, spokesman for Age UK Redditch & District, said: "We are thrilled that Arrow Vale have chosen us again to facilitate the distribution of these hampers and are very grateful to Mr Pierce and his colleagues from Arrow Vale for organising these much appreciated gifts."