A DONATION of more than five trolley loads of food and festive treats has been made to York Food Bank following a Christmas giving campaign at one of the city's business parks.

Local businesses and their staff at York Science park have spent a month setting aside food and gifts as part of a collection campaign launched by York Cares at the beginning of December.

The campaign took place across the Science Park’s five buildings, which are collectively home to more than 120 companies, and asked residents to donate what they could to help those in need.

To further get in to the spirit of Christmas giving, York Science Park residents were also asked to donate old spectacles for the “Glasses for Gambia” campaign.

As the year draws to a close more than 100 pairs of glasses have now been collected to send to this charity, which was started by local company Benenden Healthcare.

In addition, nearly £300 was raised for The Alzheimer’s Society at the Science Park's annual Christmas Party.

Tracey Smith, managing director, York Science Park, said: "I’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of our residents to support these very worthwhile charities.

"Christmas is very much a time of giving, and the whole community at York Science Park have really got behind these initiatives, the results of which will benefit people both here and overseas."

York Food Bank is part of The Trussell Trust's UK foodbank network, which works in partnership with local churches and communities to open foodbanks in local communities.

Research carried out by The Trussell Trust foodbank network shows that 1,594 people used York’s Acomb centre between April and September. This included 1,050 adults and 544 children.

Some 3,181 people across North Yorkshire had no alternative but to pick up food donations.

There are now over 205 foodbanks in the UK and last year they fed more than 128,000 people.