Alicia Leal-Brighty wanted to show her own children Lincoln, seven, and Lana, four, that others in the town may not even get a sprinkling of magic that an advent calendar brings to the festive period.

When she was told by Reading’s foodbank that hers was the first, she put out a request on social media for a few more.

The 44-year-old has been left stunned by the generosity of the Caversham community which has been donating in their hundreds.

Three businesses — Caversham Tiles, Caversham Health and Fitness Club and Caversham Vehicle Hire — volunteered to be collection points for the calendars.

Around 350 have been donated with many more chocolate Santas and other Christmas treats.

Mrs Leal-Brighty said: “I’ve been left with a smile a mile wide.

“It’s been absolutely fantastic that people have taken such a simple and inexpensive way to help someone else at this time of year.

“Just for people to give a little bit extra this festive season for families that can’t put food on the table let alone buy an advent calendar, is just wonderful.”

Mandy Champion, owner of Caversham Tiles, said at the start she expected just a few to be dropped off at the Donkin Hill store.

She said: “Within a day we had had more than we ever expected and it has just grown.

“It’s just taken off from a simple message on Facebook.

“More and more arrived and now have more than 250 as well as a lots of chocolate santas.”

All the calendars will be collected and dropped off to Readifood by the weekend so they can be given out to families who go in to get food.

Alison Peyton, ReadiFood co-ordinator, said families would be “incredibly touched” by the donations.

“We hope that opening each window of an Advent calendar will give families a little bit of hope.

“We will be giving out the calendars from the beginning of December.