One hundred Stockton residents will benefit from a Christmas hamper initiative which is being launched by Cleveland Fire Brigade and partners next week.
Fire crews from Stockton have been working with The Safer Stockton Partnership, Cleveland Police, Stockton Crime Prevention Panel, Tesco, Sainsbury, LIDL, Tri Star Homes and Tetley to make up 100 hampers.
Each hamper has items such as Christmas pudding, mince pies, bourbon biscuits, Tetley tea bags, soup, a blanket as well as various referral and information leaflets from all parties involved in the initiative.
The Safer Stockton Partnership has identified 100 residents who they think would most benefit from the scheme to help them have a 'warm, well and safe Christmas'.
Ed Parrish, Stockton Green Watch Crew Manager said: "The aim of this initiative is to give some extra help to residents that need it during these cold winter months and particularly over Christmas.
"Older people especially tend to suffer more as this time of year as it is more difficult for them to go out due to the weather and bills are higher with heating. We hope by giving this bit of extra help it will keep them safer.
"We are delighted with the response from companies who have offered to help and contributed to the hampers and for the help from our partner agencies. I am sure they will make a real difference to those 100 residents who receive them."
Cllr Steve Nelson, Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety is delighted with this years Christmas initiative, noting: "We are very pleased to be contributing to this campaign, these hampers not only provide much needed items for the winter months, but provide an excellent opportunity for us to reassure people this winter with the comforting fact that our crime levels are falling, and they are less likely to be a victim of crime than ever.
"The key message we would like to give to our residents is; keep warm, well and most of all stay safe in Stockton this Christmas"