The Salvation Army has thanked the public for its support of its Christmas appeal.

Major Sandra Stokes, the divisional commander for Bermuda, said the charity had been able to help more than 3,000 people over the festive period.

Major Stokes said the charity had been unable to meet its $500,000 target, but that staff “look forward in prayer and anticipation for a sustained blessing as we continue to fulfil our mission”.

She added the Salvation Army’s work was “a direct reflection of God’s blessings and the generosity of the people of Bermuda to give to others”.

Major Stokes said support came from “school students, families, churches, businesses, community organisations, and the international corporate donors”.

She added: “The Salvation Army also wishes to thank the host of volunteers that gave of themselves in so many ways to assist us in our ministry to the unfortunate, forgotten and marginalised of our community.

“Our volunteers came from a cross section of the community with a number of students actively involved wanting to make a difference in the lives of others.”

She said that she had been approached just before Christmas at the Salvation Army’s distribution centre by a grateful grandmother who had begun 2018 with one grandchild living with her, who had since been joined by two others.

“She said to me, ‘I never thought that I would be in this place, I was able to take care of one grandchild OK, but now with the other two, thank God you’re here’.”