A family who run a Christmas appeal for the homeless have had to adapt the scheme in light of the pandemic.

Sarah Coccia, her husband John and their daughters Gabby, 14, and Fifi, 11, set out each year to brighten up the festive period for people who will be sleeping rough.

This year would have been their third year of dishing out hundreds of gift-filled shoe boxes for the Sheppey family but, like many things, the coronavirus has put paid to their appeal.

Last year, the family handed out 602 gift-filled shoeboxes to those in need in Maidstone , Tonbridge , Swale and Medway .

Sarah said: “We won’t be able to help in the normal way this year because of the handling of boxes and the risk of spreading germs, but we can still help those in need.”

Instead, the family have set up an Amazon Wish List with items people can order including warm clothes, food and toiletries which will be distributed to rough sleepers by a charity.

These items include toiletries, gloves, hats, food, children’s toys and dog food, and all items are priced from £1 to £20.

“All people have to do is click through to the link, pick what they want to buy, add a gift note, pay and it will be delivered to our house,” Sarah said.

“We will then make up gift boxes or wrap the presents and deliver them all to the Pathways to Independence charity, in Rochester, and volunteers will distribute them to homeless people and shelters by Christmas Eve.”

The Coccias have also set up a JustGiving page for people to make donations for the appeal and have raised more than £850.

“We are trying not to let Covid beat us. There are people out there who need help so we are doing the appeal in a different way,” Sarah added.

You can find more information about the fundraiser on Facebook .

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