A GENEROUS company has made sure that Christmas comes early for carers with a donation of 1,500 chocolate Santas.

Simon Jersey, in Altham, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of uniforms and official supplier to Team GB for the Summer Olympics in Rio 2016, donated the Santas to Carers Link Lancashire.

The special treats are on their way to local residents who provide unpaid often intensive support for a friend or family member.

Company spokesperson Liz Murphy said: “We’re giving away chocolates with all orders this December, and as well as treating our customers we wanted to treat those working hard in our local community.

“Carers Link Lancashire is a fantastic organisation that helps support the many people in our local area who look after somebody else.

“We’re pleased that they were able to give the chocolates to such deserving people.”

Carers Link Lancashire’s chief executive officer Rebecca Hodgson said: “Christmas can be a difficult time especially if you’re caring for someone.

“Even the smallest gesture such as a small box of chocolates or a Christmas card goes a long way to showing a carer that someone is thinking of them.”

The Carers Help And Talk (CHAT) line is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The line is manned by volunteer carers who have an understanding of caring for a person and can provide a listening ear on 0333 103 9747.

The free Carers Trust Chat Forum offers a friendly and welcoming online community at carers.org/carers-space.

Or visit the Carers UK online forum at carersuk.org/forum