A Worcester business has donated nearly a ton of food to the city’s foodbank as part of a charity campaign.

Throughout December, Worcester-based ISO Quality Services Ltd challenged local businesses to fill boxes with 30 essential items listed on bingo cards as part of their Christmas Bingo Box challenge.

For the past month, businesses have been completing the bingo cards and filling the boxes to be donated.

The total weight of the donations was 771kg and items donated included pasta, rice, tea, coffee, toothpaste and deodorant as well as seasonal treats such as mince pies, selection boxes and Christmas cake. Additional items donated included new school shirts, tissues and toothbrushes.

Managing Director, Jennifer Semini, said: “The response exceeded our wildest expectations as many businesses donated two, three or even four full bingo boxes.

“We filled two vans which had kindly been lent to us by Hertz and The Christmas Decorators but, even so, we were amazed to hear that the donations collectively weighed 771kg, that’s almost three-quarters of a ton!

“By the Food Bank’s estimation, that is almost 700 family meals. None of this would have been possible without the support from businesses and individuals across Worcestershire and I’m truly thankful for their efforts.”

Manager of Worcester Foodbank, Graham Lucas said: “It’s encouraging and amazing how people turn to help the Food Bank at Christmas.

“I think of it as the Miracle on Lowesmoor. This was an absolutely fantastic effort and I’d like to pass my gratitude to all the businesses and individuals involved.”

ISO marketing manager Jill Davis, who came up with the idea, said: "In the office we got bored with Secret Santa so we decided to do something a bit different.

“Having seen how enthused they were, it occurred to us that other companies may like to do something similar, hence our Bingo Box Challenge.”