A Romford shopping centre's fundraising campaign for vulnerable families has beaten its target.
The Mercury Mall and the Romford Recorder have thanked readers and shoppers for their support in the month-long Giving Tree campaign.
The shopping centre said it has exceeded the goal of ensuring that there is a bundle for every family living in a women’s refuge in Havering this Christmas.
The annual Giving Tree appeal has been helping people in need in Havering over Christmas for more than two decades.
The campaign has been backing Havering Women's Aid this year, a charity that helps people escaping domestic violence.
As well as specific items for children and women from the 'Dream List', many have donated gift vouchers and additional Christmassy items to the families.
Some customers have even been in multiple times to donate dozens of items, according to appeal organisers.
Natalie Bays, deputy centre manager of The Mercury, said: "We are pleased to see that there has been such a huge array of gifts donated to the Giving Tree.
"Sometimes we worry that we are asking too much when times are tough, but we are always astounded by the generosity of our community.
"On speaking with the amazing ladies who run Havering Women’s Aid, we know that this campaign means so much to them and the families that have had to leave so much behind."
The donations are now due to be picked up by Havering Women’s Aid to get wrapped and ready for the big day.
While there isn’t a way to donate to the appeal after December 20 until next year, people are still encouraged to donate to the charity directly or support one of The Mercury’s other campaigns.
Romford Recorder senior editor Simon Murfitt said: "The generosity shown by the people of Havering for this year's appeal has been fantastic to see and is really what this time of year is all about.
"Thank you so much to everyone who has donated, you can be safe in the knowledge that your kindness will make a massive difference to someone's Christmas."
The Mercury is hosting other community activities this Christmas like The Breakfast Club, a social group which The Mercury team runs free every Monday from 10am to 12pm in Café Della Continental, or Marvin’s Great Create, which is every second weekend of the month and free for families.
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