DID you know 'miracles' happen on our meal-run'? It all started with Ruth Oliver [the Echo’s Focus of Faith correspondent] coming on our meal-run, chatting to people and being so kind. That was followed by so many lovely donations from Echo readers, and the miracle happened.

In the bitter cold, the reality of being “in need”, even homeless, sharing a squat and just generally trying to make the best of a difficult situation became a great concern for our Sally Army meal-run.

We went each week with soup, a hot meal, home-made cakes, warm clothing, and anything else that folk gave us, but it wasn't enough.

These lonely people, who are our friends, needed more practical help too; warm gloves, socks, scarves, and the treat of a small bar of chocolate, anything that could show “people cared about them”.

We didn't need to worry because the miracle happened, after Ruth's lovely report, the much-needed socks, gloves, scarves, chocolate, biscuits etc came in to our centre at Winton, and how grateful we are.

There were bags marked “Mary's men” or meal-run, or people in need, and we watched the miracle happening.

One bag was full of beautifully-wrapped gifts that had a pair of socks wrapped around a chocolate bar with a gift tag wishing a happy Christmas. Warm clothing came in donations from church groups, a small food hamper paid for by a “pensioner’s bonus”, a bag full of Snickers bars.

We had some Christmas cakes too, so everyone shared these too, and a large parcel full of Christmas goodies with a card saying, 'Happy Christmas from London, Salisbury and Bournemouth - Mac, Sean, Jodie, Joe Lisa'.

Almost all the gifts had no name attached.

We gave everyone on our meal-run a new rucksack, made possible by Waitrose charity token scheme, and we filled them with toiletries, warm socks, gloves etc and a bar of chocolate.

We set off in the snow to share these gifts with a turkey dinner for each and mince pie's. I had a lot of 'hug's too'.

God is good and with the help of wonderful friends we had a 'miracle' and the best Christmas ever. So thank you Ruth, and all of the lovely Echo readers for your kindness.

I would like to thank all my team members, they are simply the best, and all my new friends.

With love and thanks and a wish for a very Happy New Year from Mary 'and her men'

MARY RANDELL, Winton Salvation Army meal-run Team