John O’Conner Grounds Maintenance is donating 55 Christmas hampers to a local church to be distributed via a food bank to those in need.

Managing director Matt O’Conner chose Oxlease Methodist Church, of which his friend is a parishioner and which has strong ties to the community.

The hamper includes Christmas crackers, mince pies, Christmas pudding, chocolates and various other festive food items.

The Welwyn-based, family-owned company is doing this to mark its 55th anniversary, which it celebrates this month.

O’Conner says his dad John, the late founder of the company, “always liked to take care of the staff at Christmas.”

He says: “When we were a small company, he would buy a Christmas turkey for everyone. Over the years, this tradition has evolved into a Christmas bonus. Providing hampers seemed like the perfect way to mark our 55th anniversary.”

The hampers will be presented on 15 December to Reverend Rosemary Mutopo, who says the donation “will bring joy and support to many families in our community during the festive season.”