Read Ashton-under-Lyne MP Angela Rayner's final column of 2022 for the Tameside Reporter.

I am always so happy to represent an area that has so much community spirit and people who are forever willing to help one another out, but as we head ever closer to Christmas I am feeling the love even more.

I am an incredibly proud patron of Ashton United in the Community and I know how hard their team of volunteers work all year round to provide help and support for some of my most vulnerable constituents.

They make sure people don’t go hungry, they support people fleeing domestic violence and they kept young children entertained during lockdown with activity packs.

I was delighted to see so many older residents enjoy a three-course Christmas meal and entertainment at the Cross Bar recently thanks to AUITC.

Some elderly people can be isolated and lonely and the festive period often makes it worse, so it was lovely for them to have such a brilliant afternoon.

It was also great to see players from Curzon Ashton visit Tameside Hospital to chat to children who will be spending Christmas in there (pictured). Being in hospital over Christmas must be awful for children but I am sure they were cheered up by some kind words from manager Adam Lakeland and Super Nash!

Over in Failsworth, local food bank Breaking the Waves were given a festive boost when Morrisons picked them as their charity for Christmas.

Shoppers can select a bauble from the special tree at the door and pay for it at the till and the amount is donated to the food bank which was set up during the pandemic and has continued to provide support for local families ever since.

The volunteers have worked tirelessly to build up support for the charity and recently moved to new premises so they can help even more local people. They are all superheroes and I am so grateful for everything they do.

I hope you all have a fantastic Christmas and a very happy New Year.