EXTRA Christmas sparkle could be coming to the homes of Swindon’s most disadvantaged in 12 months' time – thanks to a business-minded pair.

They hope to collect unsold Christmas decorations and wrapping from businesses in the town this month.

The items will be stored until December, when they plan to help distribute them to families across Swindon.

The scheme – called Christmas in a Box – is the brainchild of Emma Vowles and Thomas Craigie, who works as a business connector for Prince of Wales-backed charity Business in the Community.

Thomas said: “We simply want to help individuals and families on low incomes with the cost of Christmas. All of the extras such as crackers, wrapping paper, cards and decorations, add up in value and can represent significant expense to those who are struggling.

“If we can help with those costs we can go some way towards ensuring everyone has the Christmas they deserve, which is something we should all be able to enjoy."

The pair, who both have backgrounds in business, are speaking to shopkeepers across Swindon.

They hope that firms will donate festive wrapping paper and decorations that went unsold in the run up to Christmas Day.

Thomas said they would use the donated items to make up special boxes.

The pair are speaking to Swindon Foodbank about helping to distribute the festive boxes. This year, volunteers from the foodbank handed out almost 300 Christmas hampers – filled with goodies like colouring books and Christmas puddings by staff at Swindon-based Nationwide.

Thomas and Emma have written to businesses in the town asking for donations.

Want to donate? Get in touch with the pair by emailing: thomas.craigie@bitcconnect.org.