Staff from a BMW dealership decided to give something back this winter when they donated a load of food to a homeless shelter.

Karen Harris-Yeates and her colleagues at Sytner Harold Wood, in Colchester Road, spent a month collecting warm clothes, toiletries and food for Havering’s homeless.

The staff packed dozens of boxes and bags into the back of a van and headed down to Hope4Havering, in Station Lane, Hornchurch, to the delight of the shelter’s volunteers.

“I have to say, it was a very proud moment for us, due to the generosity of our staff – we could not have anticipated the response,” said Karen. “The director of Hope 4 Havering, Kim Merry, and her assistant manager, Dave Bobin, were overwhelmed by our gift.”