Young people are being thanked for their efforts to spread festive across the borough.

Around 950 children created Christmas cards and letters to give to residents in Richmond care homes - many of whom have been heavily affected by COVID-19.

Over the past three weeks, Richmond Council appealed to young people to help spread Christmas joy through their #LoveThroughTheLetterbox scheme.

Hundreds of children and their families created cards and messages which were sent to 13 residential care homes.

Cllr Piers Allen, Chair of the Adult Social Services, Health & Housing Committee and the Richmond Health & Wellbeing Board, said:

I am so thrilled that so many of our children have spent the time to create such heart felt Christmas cards. Those that live in our care homes really have had a tough time this year. Many have not seen their families or loved ones for months.

And this will be particularly difficult at Christmas. I know that these seasonal cards will bring goodwill and cheer and show older people that the whole borough is thinking of them.”

The Christmas project follows a letter writing campaign earlier in the year, where over 450 children sent goodwill messages to older residents during the first lockdown.