SUMMER may have only just finished but Oxfordshire's most famous festive fundraiser is already gearing up to hand out a mountain of gifts over the Christmas period.

Courtney Hughes, 20, was invited to this year's Royal wedding in recognition of her tireless work to spread festive cheer to others and is now ready to do it all again with plans to dish out thousands of presents in December.

The launch of this year's appeal comes as Ms Hughes also finalises a new scheme - Secret Santa Hands of Friendship - which will befriend elderly and vulnerable people in their own homes in Didcot and the surrounding area all year round.

Working with trained carers, she is organising 30 minute visits that will include a cup of tea and a chat to check in with those who might be isolated or lonely and complete any small tasks that need doing.

The former Didcot Girls Pupil who now works at the John Radcliffe Hospital, said: "I've met so many people when giving out the presents who feel a bit alone and really value meeting new people and the interaction.

"I've worked with older people since I was little and loneliness has always been a problem.

"We're not going to solve it overnight but if we can help them feel a little bit better then it is worth it."

Ms Hughes already has 12 volunteers to carry out the scheme and is asking for anyone who is interested to contact her.

She has support from the housing association Soha and is working in partnership with other groups but people can also message her directly if they feel they would benefit from having someone come and visit.

It is hoped that the individual visits will help people gain the confidence to leave the house and join groups to meet more new people in the future.

Mum Claire Hughes, who is also supporting the scheme, said: "This system will be so invaluable to so many and can be such a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing.

"When she started secret Santa, at the sheltered accommodation where her nan lived, many of the residents were confined to their rooms.

"It's only through Courtney getting to know them and earning their trust that they come out of themselves."

The annual Secret Santa appeal, which Ms Hughes started when she was 13, has given out 35,000 gifts to date.

Volunteers from the National Citizen Service (NCS) programme have already helped wrap 1,000 gifts and raised £400 with a sponsored walk from Abingdon to Oxford.

Daniel Merritt, a local business owner, is hoping to raise £1,000 to support the appeal by trekking up the 6,000 metre summit of Island Peak in Nepal.

Search Secret Santa 365 Oxfordshire on Facebook.