Emily Thornberry with Big Joe after he performed his song

CHRISTMAS came early this week for some as we whipped around the borough delivering hampers holding delicious ­goodies bought with the generous donations of Tribune readers.

Thanks to you, dear reader, we were able to dish out Truffles Delicatessen hampers filled with treats to spread a little cheer as part of our annual Hamper Appeal.

Community groups, churches and individuals nominated by our readers have all benefited from your generosity – with your help, we have sent seasonal goodies, presents and kitchen cupboard staples to help those in need through the holiday period.

On Wednesday, the Tribune’s team of elves – helped by Islington South MP Emily ­Thornberry – also made a special visit to ­Bridgeside Lodge care home in Angel, where residents were celebrating the winter solstice with a special party full of food and live music.

Annelle Smith collecting boxes for her church in Holloway

Performed by music charity the Spitz, residents on every floor sang along to Christmas hits and songs remembered from their childhood, while care home resident Big Joe sang a song he had written for Ms Thornberry, which brought her to tears.

Bridgeside Lodge resident Geoffrey Hitt said he was chuffed with his hamper, adding: “I like Christmas, I like the music and the feeling there’s a future in this country – it’s a hopeful time.”

Ms Thornberry, who handed out the hampers, said: “This has been a completely exhausting year in politics, and it’s events like this that keep you going. They fill you up again and remind you of the spirit behind politics.”

Bridgeside Lodge manager Fatma Makalo said: “Those residents who received the hampers were very grateful and appreciated it – it made them feel very special. One of their family members said it was so generous of Emily to come in and give the residents a hamper. [One resident] wanted to share that gift with other residents’ family and friends.

Ms Thornberry with Theresa Conteh

“On Christmas, we’ll celebrate and enjoy the happiness and the joy of Christmas and spread the love and make it special for our resident family and staff who are so dedicated, and continue with the home feeling.”

It has been a difficult year for our community and we have all been under pressure as the cost of surviving crisis bites, with soaring bills and rising rents eating their way greedily into low wage packets.

Many families have begun to feel the pinch for the first time this year, while others who have long been struggling have found it increasingly difficult just to keep their heads above water.

Our wonderful community has fought back fiercely, filling the gaps where other forms of support have failed, with community kitchens, pantries, food banks and pop-up street kitchens doing the work.

Despite all this, we still we hear harrowing reports of food banks in our borough being forced to close or pause their work under the intense strain of the winter period.

The Islington MP with Jane Gibbons

Meanwhile, warm banks have appeared for the first time on our streets as churches, libraries and community centres flung open their doors to welcome people in from the cold, offering children coats and blankets.

It shouldn’t be this way in the sixth-largest economy in the world. We will care for each other this Christmas, and then use the new year to fight for a better deal for ordinary families, young people and the elderly.

It has been a bleak year, but at the Tribune we are heartened to see our readers have never stopped looking out for each other, with many donating what they can even in the face of their own challenges.

As your generous support for our Hamper Appeal shows, we are still a community that cares – so thank you, and merry Christmas.