A Christmas charity drive designed to give toys, food hampers and medicines to people in need has been boosted by one of the island’s churches.

Gina Spence Productions has teamed up with Restoration Ministries in Southampton to run the event at the weekend.

Ms Spence said she had raised $30,000 towards the year’s $75,000 goal for charitable work and had enough to cover the Christmas giveaway.

She added: “We are excited, delighted and blessed that our community has come in support of our efforts in such a major way.”

Ms Spence was speaking at the former TN Tatem Middle School in Warwick – the headquarters for the drive-through delivery programme.

People who have been preregistered and approved can collect their gifts from the school between 3pm and 4pm on Saturday.

The deadline to register people in need of help on the charity’s website has been extended until tomorrow.

Gifts will be distributed to eligible recipients on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ms Spence thanked the Terceira group of gas stations for collecting 1,000 “new or pre-loved” toys.

The company has also donated gas vouchers and raised funds to support the giveaway.

The Bermuda Post Office has pitched in to deliver 100 healthy gift bags donated by Hamilton’s Phoenix Centre Pharmacy, as well as pharmaceutical cards, to the doorsteps of seniors.

BGA, a wholesaler, has given $2,000 worth of food for 100 healthy food hampers.

Ms Spence said about 50 gift cards and 50 hampers were still in stock.

She added that the help of Restoration Ministries had allowed the charity to double its donations this year.

Stephen Lawrence, who represented the church’s pastor, Damon Hendrickson, said: “This partnership represents what we live for – connecting with our community, sharing and impacting lives.

“It allows us to go into homes and make a difference with those in need.

“We are happy and looking forward to being part of this journey not only this year but for years to come.”

Toys are still being collected until the end of business tomorrow at Warwick gas station, Terceira’s Gas Station on North Shore Road and the gas stations on St John’s Road and East Broadway in Pembroke.