A MALVERN-based insurance broker marked the festive season by making a donation to a homeless appeal.

Staff at Balens Ltd, based at Bridge House in Portland Road, voted overwhelming to support the Worcestershire Homeless Appeal Christmas shoe box campaign as their seasonal charity.

They put together 38 shoeboxes and bags, including ones for children and women and even some for homeless people with dogs.

The company, which specialises in insuring the complimentary health and well-being sector, also heard about the Worcestershire Homeless Appeal's campaign to raise £3,000 to buy a hot food van to cater for the homeless.

The appeal's Just Giving page had raised nearly £1,000 towards the target, and Balens have now handed over a cheque for £2,500 to complete the appeal.

A spokesman for the Worcestershire Homeless Appeal said: "We run a street kitchen every Sunday night and support a group on Saturday nights, with food donations from Spar, Morrisons, Greggs, Nando’s and Bookers.

"Without these donations, we wouldn’t be able to provide hot food. We are trying to raise money to buy a hot food van to be able to take more food on to the streets and further afield where it’s needed most.

"We do this for the people who need it in our communities. We feel very humbled to be able to help and support these individuals and families.”

Among the organisations which will be using the van are Maggs Day Centre, St Paul’s Hostel, CCP, NewStarts, Simply Limitless, YMCA, Droitwich Community Meals, Richmond House and the Basement Project.