SHAMPOO, shower gel, bath bombs, bubble bath and body lotion are just some of the items donated to a Stockton foodbank in an appeal asking people to pass on any unwanted Christmas gifts.

Organisers of ‘Pass The Parcel’, Charlotte Hall and Emma Chesworth, decided to launch the appeal throughout January asking people to consider donating any unwanted toiletries they may have received as Christmas presents.

Ms Chesworth, from Stockton, said: “The Trussell Trust foodbanks in Stockton and Billingham helped more than 4,000 last year and we wanted to do our bit to help. Many foodbanks do offer toiletries as well as food so we thought a post Christmas appeal would be something we could organise.”

In all, 282 items of toiletries were collected and delivered to the Trussell Trust Foodbank in Hebron Church, Britannia Road, Stockton.

Dr Kayleigh Garthwaite, who is carrying out research into health inequalities in Stockton, and is a volunteer at the Stockton Foodbank, said: “It is wonderful that so many people have donated items. Foodbanks are still often only associated with providing food, but these donations will really help people and make a real difference.”