A charity aiming to feed hundreds of struggling families this Christmas is £1,000 away from completing its mission.

United Families UK has pledged to provide 500 households in Deal, Dover and the surrounding areas with everything they need to cook a festive lunch on Christmas Day.

So far, £3,000 has been raised by groups, businesses and individuals.

This includes Kingsdown and Ringworld Primary, St George’s Church, Talk it Out, Deal Town FC, Deal Parochial Primary, Dover Beacons Church and St Mary’s Primary in Dover.

Now, founder and chairman Luke Shaw is appealing to KentOnline readers to help his team reach their target.

He said: “Five hundred families equates to a minimum of 2,000 people.

“Our farmers have donated most of the vegetables again this year which has helped us reduce the costs dramatically.

'We really hope that with one week until delivery day, we can push the final target and complete such a quest.'

“We really hope that with one week until delivery day, we can push the final target and complete such a quest.”

In addition to monetary donations, gifts of dried items are also welcome, such as gravy granules, tinned vegetables, packs of stuffing, jars of cranberry, apple and mint sauce, yorkshire pudding batter mixtures, tinned fruit, tins of custard, Christmas crackers and seasonings.

United Families UK is a newly formed charity offering advice, support and guidance to mothers, fathers and families in need.

Its offices are at 17-23 Queen Street, Deal - above Paydens the chemist.

It is the second year the project has run, following its success in providing 137 families with a dinner parcel in 2020 despite various Covid-19 challenges.

The charity has also been collecting new or nearly new toys as gifts, and is calling on volunteers to help pack the parcels on Thursday, December 23.

This will be from 9am at Betteshanger Welfare Sports and Social Club in Cavell Square, Deal.

The parcels will be delivered on Thursday, December 23.

To offer your help email info@unitedfamiliesuk.org.uk

To nominate a family to receive a parcel, fill out a form before December 20 at unitedfamiliesuk.org.uk

To make a donation here.