EIGHTEEN boxfuls of goods collected for Thornbury's foodbank by two young boys have gone a long way in helping struggling residents and families.

Connor Tucker, eight, and his brother Lewis, six, decided to collect donations for the foodbank at Halloween instead of trick-or-treating for themselves.

A voluntary manager of the foodbank, Mair Voughan, 68, said: “Their donation was the biggest we have ever had.

“They supplied an overwhelming 288kg worth of food items which has served so many families, couples and singles coming through from Thornbury and Yate.

“They did this completely on their own volition - they saw a need and people going without and wanted to help.”

A lady who has had to use the foodbank to feed her four children over the last month told the Gazette: “It has helped us out so much. I am so thankful to those two boys."

The idea to donate had come from Connor, who heard his dad Craig talk about a reverse advent calendar where every day a donation is made to a foodbank leading up to Christmas.

“I saw the calendar and suddenly had the idea to go trick-or-treating for the foodbank,” he said.

Lewis was hesitant to give up the chance to give away treats but soon came around to the idea of helping other people in need.

He dressed as his “favourite animal” a werewolf and his brother as a skeleton, and the pair with the help of the community collected 20 wheelbarrow loads of goods.

A volunteer at the service said: “The children’s donation has made a positive difference to so many people’s lives.

“We collect a bit of everything. We always need juice, and basics such as bread and milk and tinned meat.

“We are taking any Christmas items too, cakes and children’s toys. We collect for pets too, animals like dogs are part of the family and need fed too.”

The boy’s mum Fran said: “We are very proud of them. They are very kind hearted and it is lovely to see how they enjoy doing nice things for other people.”

Manager, Mrs Voughan added: “People use the service for all kinds of reasons, usually debt, or sickness. Often something unexpected, and people have come here in floods of tears.

“The boys who helped were a delight, and they were a lovely family. I think they reflect the giving community we have here.”

The boy’s school, Christ the King Primary, has also made donations to Thornbury foodbank throughout the year. Their head teacher Mary Mainwaring said that they were “very proud” of her pupils' donation.