Volunteers who collect and distribute chocolate gifts to less fortunate children at Christmas have thanked donors from seven Hampshire care homes for their support.
The Chocolate Elf praised the generosity of Colten Care residents, staff, families and visitors, saying their efforts would make a ‘positive difference’ to youngsters likely to receive few if any other presents.
The voluntary group distributes donations to children across Hampshire each festive season through contacts in local councils, children’s homes, charities, youth services, hospices and women’s refuges.
Organiser Pete Orme, who visited Linden House dementia care home in Lymington to pick up the gifts gathered by Colten Care, said: “The Chocolate Elf are truly grateful to the staff, residents and families of everyone at Colten Care.
“These generous donations will go directly to less advantaged children in Hampshire, many of whom will receive little or nothing else this Christmas. Your kindness will genuinely make a positive difference to a child’s day.”
This is the fourth year that Colten Care has supported Chocolate Elf. The 2025 collection of selection boxes and calendars reached 232, taking the total number of donated items since 2022 to more than 830.
Matty Davitt, Driver and Operator for the Colten Group, collected this year’s gifts from drop-off boxes in the receptions of Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst, Kingfishers in New Milton, Abbotts Barton and St Catherines View in Winchester, the Lymington homes Belmore Lodge, Linden House and Court Lodge, and the Colten House head office in Ringwood.
He then brought them to Linden House for the handover to Chocolate Elf.
Tracy Baker, Customer Service Advisor at both Belmore Lodge and Court Lodge, said: “We’re gathering more and more donations each year. It’s wonderful to be able to help.”
Belmore Lodge resident Joyce Keen described the annual campaign as a “lovely and thoughtful idea”, adding: “It makes us remember how lucky we are and how we should help others where we can.”
