A KIND-HEARTED police officer rallied colleagues in a bid to give vulnerable families a happier Christmas.

PC Liam Robertson made a surprise visit to a foodbank today (Friday, December 12) to drop off a horde of festive treats donated by Darlington police officers and staff.

The modest PC said: “This is not a publicity stunt and it’s not about making the police look good.

“It’s been playing on my mind for a little while in the run up to Christmas that the worst my kids have to worry about is what toys to choose.

“Some people have to choose between having food on the table or eating and some kids are going to go to school in the wake of Christmas and hear their mates talking about what a wonderful time they had and what they had to eat.

“They’re probably going to feel put out that their parents are not able to give them that.

“I just put an email out saying I was going to make a donation of Christmas puddings and chocolates to the foodbank to give something in addition to the normal food they give out so those kids would know people are looking out for them.”

He added: “I’m pleased with the response but I would have liked to be able to give more – it would be nice if people got behind it and handed more things in.

“It all makes a bit of difference and it would be good if people thought about if their kids really need £150 spending on them or whether some of that could be siphoned off a bit to help other people.”

The treats were donated to the King's Church Foodbank on Whessoe Road in Darlington.