Residents have set up an online appeal to help pay for Christmas presents for people who are struggling financially.

Wilsden Aid is looking to raise £2,000 for help pay for a number of festive treats for residents from the village.

The group, set up through the Wilsden Residents Facebook page, is particularly looking to help out the village’s elderly and young struggling families.

They plan to hold a Christmas Carol concert and party for elderly residents and collect food for Christmas hampers to be handed out to the area’s most in need.

The scheme was set up by Brian Padden, 49, who has lived in Wilsden for the last 15 years, said there was a demand for it.

He has also held talks with toy shops in Bradford to negotiate donating toys, gift vouchers or a discount.

Mr Padden, of Hornsea Drive, Wilsden, said there is a need for such an appeal in the village and hopes it will become an annual tradition.

He said: “Still in 2016, we have people and families that are using food banks. Christmas must be a really difficult time for them.

“I was thinking about doing something for the people in the village who find Christmas a financial nightmare.

“Christmas is a bit commercialised, it should be about giving.

“Within a couple of hours of the idea going up on our Facebook page, we had hundreds of people offering to help, saying where can they donate?

“We raised more than £250 in the first 24 hours of the website being set up. I’ve also had lots of offers to help.

“There are families who are really struggling financially, who may find two or three pounds a day a real struggle. Generally, Wilsden is quite an affluent area, but there are people who may be struggling financially after circumstances like losing their job that need help at Christmas.”

Mr Padden added the scheme can also give a boost to its recipients.

He said: “It is just somebody showing that they care.

“As many people commiserate, as celebrate, at Christmas which can be a difficult time for families.

“I have seen that there is a demand for help for people in Wilsden.

“If it is a success this year, we hope to hold it next year too.”

Go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Wilsdenaid to make a donation. To nominate someone to receive the gifts, visit the Wilsden Residents Facebook page.

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