CHRISTMAS may be over but kind deeds are lingering on well into the New Year. Friends from the Barking and East London Round Table donned Santa suits and mounted their Christmas sleigh to distribute festive hampers to elderly people in the borough during

CHRISTMAS may be over but kind deeds are lingering on well into the New Year.

Friends from the Barking and East London Round Table donned Santa suits and mounted their Christmas sleigh to distribute festive hampers to elderly people in the borough during Christmas week.

Around 150 parcels with basic and useful goods such as tea, sugar, soup or biscuits, were handed out after the Round Table volunteers teamed up with members from the Barking and Dagenham branch of Age Concern and the Sainsbury store in Beckton.

The donations were made as part of the club's tradition of putting money raised throughout the year, like during the November fireworks display, back into the community.

The handouts then go to the local scouts, the police cadets, the St John Ambulance, and to elderly people.

Round Table Chairman Alfie Ford said: "People were appreciating it. Some of them may have been on their own over Christmas.

"But not everyone accepts a parcel - some people are too proud."

He said the donations at November's fireworks display were one of the reasons why the Round Table had been able to help elderly people this year.

The gesture also gave volunteers the chance to enjoy the Father Christmas experience complete with sleigh and snow.

Alfie said: "It was cold but it was fun. It actually snowed on some of the days."

The club is hoping to make more donations soon.

For more information or to join the Round Table, visit www.barkingroundtable.org.uk.