STACKS of presents have been donated to bring festive cheer to children with life-limiting illnesses across Cumbria.

Shap Chippy teamed up with Jigsaw, Cumbria's Children's Hospice for its Gifting Tree Campaign.

Chippy owners Matt and Ashley Phillips put up a Christmas tree with the names and ages of 50 children on gift tags to allow their customers to take a name tag and buy that child a present.

Little did they know that 50 tags would not be enough as every child was counted for and additional donations were made.

They said the support from the local community was "fantastic".

Matt said: "Not only did we receive stacks of presents, we also had online donations for those isolating or unable to get to the shops to buy a gift.

"These donations will be used to buy children experiences at Jigsaw in Carlisle, these experiences will give children something they would not usual have access to without the great work of the team at Jigsaw."

Matt and Ashley have delivered the presents to the hospice and the team there will deliver them in time for Christmas.

"This year has been very tough for a lot of people out there and we wanted to do something to help make sure that children have a present to come down to this Christmas.

"Covid has been a nightmare for everyone and if we can help bring a little festive cheer we will," said Ashley.

"Shap Chippy is not just about delicious fish and chips, but about being part of the local community.

"As small businesses we have asked that you support us and we feel its only right that we do our best to support you too."

Eden Valley Hospice has cared for local people with life-limiting illnesses for 29 years and in 2007 Jigsaw's purpose built children's facility was opened. The charities rely on donations to cover 80 per cent of their running costs. To donate visit jigsawhospice.org/donations.