ELVES were spotted across Swindon collecting donations to bring some festive cheer to elderly people.

Staff at Home Instead Senior Care Swindon & Vale of White Horse have been visiting schools and businesses as part of its Be A Santa to Senior Santa Gram campaign.

Business development manager Toby Kirk told the Adver: “We invited schools and businesses to get crafty and create cards, drawing and other crafts that would fit in to an A4 envelope, to be posted or hand delivered through the letterboxes of our local elderly population.

“Normally we would have collected donations of gifts and presents that we were able to deliver to seniors across the area.

“With this year being a little different we had to find another way to spread Christmas, this is where the ‘Santa-Gram’ idea was born.”

In total, 20 schools, nine local businesses and 20 individuals that got involved.

The care company had a huge number of items donated from handmade cards to local artists' paintings, jigsaws, and knitted goods.

Toby added: “There were over 3,800 items donated. The amount in each envelope varied due to the physical size of some of the donations, but each envelope contained roughly up to 10 items.

"Anything that either couldn’t fit in the envelopes or was leftover will be donated to care homes for use throughout the year."

The items will be delivered from today until Christmas.

“We have been absolutely overwhelmed by the amount of donations contributed to our campaign,” Toby said.

“In a year where older people may have had to spend a lot of time at home we can’t wait to bring some festive cheer to their doorstep.

“We are blessed to be in a community that really cares for each other and we look forward to seeing these amazing donations bring a smile to people’s faces over the coming weeks.

“Thank you to everyone who donated, you have truly made a huge difference.”

He added: “We are already planning on doing something similar for Easter to connect the young and old generations, so watch this space!”

“We have partnered with local organisations such as Swindon Seniors' Forum, The October Club, and a number of Care Homes which will distribute the vast majority for us.

"The rest will be distributed to some of our clients in their own homes who are local older people in the area.”

The appeal also raised £140 to support the Alzheimer’s Society.