Presents pile up for families after Dudley appeal launched
A community has come together to spread some festive cheer at Dudley estate.
More than 2,000 selection boxes have been donated by residents in Brierley Hill which will be given out to local children in December.
It was sparked by Ben Taylor, aged 33, who owns RnL Gentleman's Barbers, on Wallows Road.
He said: "We planned to do it because it's been a hard year and the community has supported us through it and we wanted to give something back.
"It's not been just me it's the whole community who have got involved with this, they're a great bunch of people.
"People I've never even met before have come in and donated boxes.
"We have more than 2,000 selection boxes now, it's gone a bit bonkers, I'll still be delivering them at Easter!
"It was meant to be something small and simple, we weren't expecting it to get so big, I've always done bits and pieces in the community.
"People have spent hundreds of their own money on this, and they're not rich. Everyone is quick enough to say the people and kids are no good but they really look after each other.
"It's nice to say thank you to them."
Due to the second national lockdown, Ben has had to close his business for the second time this year.
Covid-19 coverage:
He added: "We'd only just got back into some kind of routine, but there's nothing you can do really we just have to get on with it.
"My wife opened a community fruit and veg stall in the last lockdown, so she has opened that again, so these things are keeping us occupied.
"If we can get anything out of this, it is that the man next door is still your friend you can go and ask for a cup of sugar if you need one. We've lost that and are trying to get it back.
"This is just to bring some smiles to our community."
