A PRESENT bank has been launched to help children in need this Christmas.

Present Bank is the brainchild of Justine Brooks, who joined forces with friend and tech entrepreneur Mick Nagle, to provide gift vouchers to children in the Malvern area.

Justine Brooks,53 from Malvern, said: “I know from my work as a foster parent just how important receiving and giving gifts on special occasions like Christmas is to children and how parents are heartbroken and family tensions happen when there is just nothing.”

Present Bank will use "every penny" of donations to buy Argos vouchers which will be given to the Malvern Hills Foodbank who work with frontline social professionals to identify and distribute vouchers only to known families who need support.

Mick Nagle, 53, from Malvern, said: “Justine provided the inspiration to launch this project, so I am happy to help her make it become a reality.

“Like her, I’m passionate about addressing inequality and doing what I can to help make the community a happier place.

“One of the ways we can do this is by people like me and you doing whatever we can to help."

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The pair have launched a free app so you can donate, download gift certificates and follow the project's progress.

A spokesman for Malvern Hills Foodbank said: "We are pleased with what they are both doing to help and we are in touch with Justine to make sure the vouchers go to those most in need."

Many of those referred to food bank continue to be hampered by lengthy delays in the payment of Universal Credit or other difficulties caused by the benefits system.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/presentbank