THE organisers of a food collection to help the homeless and needy have been overwhelmed by North Wales' people's generosity.

Back in mid-November, the Disability Resource Centre, at Glan Clwyd Hospital, in Bodelwyddan, arranged a "clean out your cupboards for Christmas" campaign.

They asked people to empty their kitchen cupboards of any surplus food items, so they could be collected up to give to the homeless and those in need.

Annette Lees, the disability centre's promotion's and outreach co-ordinator, said they were "absolutely amazed" at just how much people had donated.

"I was cleaning out my cupboards, and I had the idea. You always have those extra things you probably won't use, the buy one get one free things, you end up with two and you only needed one.

"I suddenly thought, I bet there are lots of people like me, who have things they'll never use. Why not give it to people who really need it, I thought.

"One lady I know said, she had about six packets of noodles - and she didn't even like noodles! They might as well go to someone who does she said! It all snowballed from there!"

Food collection boxes were placed in numerous locations including libraries in Abergele, Conwy, Colwyn Bay, Llandudno, as well as in the Comrades Club, Conwy, Poppletons, Mochdre, the Pharmacy in Old Colwyn, Penrhyn Court, Rhos on Sea, Promise Arts and Crafts Llandudno, Manor Court Llandudno, Asda in Kinmel Bay and the Prestatyn Football Cub.

"The generosity of people in North Wales has just been overwhelming. We were absolutely amazed by it all. We can't thank people enough.

"People were so kind, there were little packs of chocolates all nicely packaged and there was even two mystery presents, in nice Christmas paper, that said 'not to be opened until Christmas Day!'

"Someone will be getting a lovely Christmas surprise!"

The food has now all been handed over to Brenda Fogg, of Hope Restored, an organisation which offers a range of help and advice services to homeless and needy people in the Llandudno area.

The food will be packaged up into hampers and distributed over Christmas.

"Brenda was really delighted with what we managed to get together. And wanted to say a big thank you to everyone," Annette added.