COLLEAGUES at a North-East communications office have showered their local foodbank with gifts instead of each other.

Employees at EE’s Darlington office took a more charitable approach to their annual secret Santa by instead donating hundreds of food items for those in need.

Although the original collection started in EE’s 14-strong Total Resource team, hundreds of donations soon started to arrive from other areas of the business nationally following a company-wide email.

Members of the Darlington customer services team then spent two weeks collecting the donations.

Everything from toys and children’s clothing to bedding and home-made food were taken to the Food Store at King’s Church in Darlington which runs a community-wide project providing emergency resources for the needy.

Joanna Adams, EE business customer services representative said: “At a time when a lot of people are really struggling, we felt it was in the true spirit of Christmas to give what we could to help.

“We’re delighted how popular the collection has been.”