“My biggest Christmas wish would be not to have this job at the foodbank anymore.”

Those were the words of Medway Foodbank’s manager Ian Childs, who has praised his volunteers and thanked the generous people in the Towns who have donated, but said his ultimate dream is to be able to help another cause because foodbanks are not needed any more.

Mr Childs, 49, said: “I want to help wherever there is need, but I truly look forward to the day I am out of a job here, because people in the Medway Towns no longer rely on foodbanks to get by. Sadly, we are nowhere near that stage.”

Over the last year the number of people falling into financial difficulty because of debt problems, low incomes and zero-hour working contracts and turning to the charity for help has doubled.

In fact, in the new year the charity will be opening two new centres to meet demand.

Earlier this winter as part of a neighbourhood food collection scheme, Tesco stores in Gillingham and Strood asked customers to pick up an extra item and donate it at the tills.

This week the figures of that collection revealed it to be a record-breaking year with almost 22,000 meals donated, equating to around seven tonnes of food.

Mr Childs added: “As well as our huge gratitude to all those who donated, I cannot thank the volunteers enough. Without them we simply wouldn’t have been able to manage taking all the food in.

“The important thing for people to remember is that no matter how bad it gets and whatever your personal circumstances, there are people who really care and want to help you get to a better place.

“People are not alone, they don’t have to suffer in silence, lock themselves away, or be embarrassed. It’s just life, and life gets hard. Just ask for help and there is hope for you.”

On Christmas Day one of the foodbank centres will be open for people to come along and enjoy a cooked meal.

After weeks of planning more than a dozen volunteers are set to spend their own Christmas at Chatham Evangelical Church in Ordnance Street, dishing out lunch to all who want it after the 11am service. All are welcome.