A Christmas-themed fundraiser was embraced yesterday as the public delivered gifts and supplies for vulnerable people.

A steady stream of good Samaritans visited The Salvation Army’s Truck of Hope as it was stationed on Union Street in Hamilton.

Captain Dennis Maybury, the public relations officer for The Salvation Army’s Bermuda regional branch, welcomed the “fantastic” response.

He added: “It’s coming together really nicely. I believe Christmas is going to go very well this year.”

The Salvation Army made the call for donations last month as part of an announcement for their annual Christmas fundraising season.

Members of the public were asked to pick up toys, non-perishable food, gift cards and essential goods for drop-off.

The truck drive, alongside the Anonymous Santa and the Christmas Kettles, were designed to raise cash and collect supplies for families who struggled financially over the holiday season.

Captain Maybury said the Truck of Hope received “a wide range of things,” from canned food to half a dozen of Lindo’s gift cards from an anonymous donor.

Volunteers from the broadcaster Inter-Island Communications assisted with loading the truck and organising items.

A Christmas kettle nearby also received several donations, which the captain said would be sorted at a later date.

Captain Maybury added that the truck, which had set up in front of the old Liberty Theatre, was completely filled with donations by midafternoon.

He said: “As soon as we arrived, a lady was there with a big bag of toys, just waiting for us to open.”

The gifts are to be handed out on Monday during a giveaway at the Botanical Gardens.

Captain Maybury encouraged the public to continue offering supplies and cash to meet the rising need in Bermuda.

He added: “We’d like to see more, especially outside of the Christmas season. We need donations all year-round.

“It’s nice when we see people giving back during Christmas, but the need will still exist outside of that.”