THIS Christmas is particularly special for me as it's my first one as a parent. From putting up a real tree to wandering through the crowds at the Penarth lights switch on it's been a very different run up to Christmas.

At this time of year the supermarkets are busy with people buying food for the Christmas period. However, it is easy to forget that thousands of families will be dependent on emergency hand-outs from foodbanks. It is a sad but undeniable fact that there has been a huge increase in the number of foodbanks set up since 2010.

A recent report by Oxfam has revealed that the use of foodbanks in Wales is disproportionately high in relation to the population. The foodbank charity Trussell Trust helped feed 79,000 people in Wales last year. Over the last year the use of Trussell Trust foodbanks in Wales rose by 120 per cent. The Trussel Trust attributed this to rising food and fuel prices, static incomes, underemployment and changes to benefits. A particular problem has been the delay in making benefit decisions. In 2013-14 foodbanks fed 913,138 people across the UK, of those helped 330,205 were children.

Christmas is a time when we do think of people less fortunate than ourselves. I know that many people already give generously in supporting good causes. If you wish to support a family in need of emergency help to eat the Tabernacle foodbanks collects from Saintsbury in Penarth and the Trussell Trust collects from Tesco in Penarth. More information on how to donate can be found at www.trusselltrust.org.

On a similar note Project Shoebox, a scheme launched in Cardiff is urging people to donate toiletries, like shampoo, toothbrushes, makeup, perfume, nappies and baby wipes. These boxes will then be distributed to women’s refuges across Wales. Domestic abuse increases significantly during the Christmas period and many women turn up at shelters with nothing. If you would like to donate items can be taken to the Coal Exchange in Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff Bay, in my constituency.