MORE than a thousand people living in financial hardship this Christmas will be given 'essentials boxes' containing soap and shampoo by a Christchurch charity.

Families struggling in the conurbation will receive presents from Ashley's Birthday Bank this year.

The charity was set up at the end of 2014 to provide support to people in need. Volunteers help those struggling financially, as well as victims of domestic violence, neglect and human trafficking.

Last year, the organisation gave 1,500 presents to local families. Many of the gifts were purchased through People's Postcode Lottery funding.

Trustee Anna Selby said this year is expected to be even busier.

"The months running up to Christmas are very busy for us," she said.

"Last year, we gifted more than 1,500 presents, but we expect this figure to be higher this year as we have had a lot of referrals from professionals about local children living with hygiene poverty, financial hardship, abuse and neglect."

The charity takes referrals from professionals who work with families, including teachers and social workers.

It recently received a grant from the People's Postcode Lottery to buy a range of essential items for local families, including personal hygiene products and toiletries, prams, bedding and cleaning products.

"Christmas is always a very stressful time for families living with financial hardship," Anna said.

"Many of these families are living with hygiene poverty.

"This means the essentials boxes we gift - which contain soap, shampoo, deodorant, sanitary products and shower gel, as well as other items - are a luxury to the families we support.

"One of our parents uses washing up liquid to wash their clothes because they cannot afford washing powder."

UK-wide charity In Kind Direct supplies products to Ashley’s Birthday Bank. In Kind Direct distributes a host of surplus products, such as personal hygiene items and cleaning products, which have been donated by large companies.

The organisation's chief executive Robin Boles said volunteers have seen a "sharp rise" in the number of people who rely on support from charities across the UK.

Earlier this year, helpers from Ashley's Birthday Bank visited the Daily Echo offices in Richmond Hill to pick up a £3,900 cheque granted by Newquest's Gannett Foundation.