VOLUNTEERS offered a helping hand to the Oxford Food Bank in the shape of six boxes.

Members of the Oxford Malayalee Samajam (OXMAS) presented the charity with parcels full of spaghetti, dried food and tins on Tuesday.

OXMAS is a group of 300 people from the South Indian state of Kerala. Jobil Skaria, charity co-ordinator, said around 50 people donated food.

He said: “Most of our members work in healthcare. They collected the food from their own houses and we sorted it out for the food bank.

“We thought maybe we could save some lives.

“My main aim is to give help to the Oxford people.”

Members from the OXMAS charity delivered the food to the foodbank on Lamarsh Road.

Oxford city councillor for Headington Hill and Northway, Roy Darke, said: “It is pleasing to see an active, charity-minded Christian group originating from South India clubbing together to help collect food for those in need. It shows that we can all help each other, rather than be set at odds.”