PRESTONPANS mum Emma Hogg’s Christmas collection for East Lothian Foodbank has inspired a supermarket giant to join in.

Emma, 33, of North Bank Road, appealed to friends and family to donate advent calendars to ensure children whose families were struggling would not miss out this year.

She collected nearly 100 to hand over to the foodbank in just two weeks after launching her campaign last month.

And when Tesco Musselburgh manager Andy Bryce read about her efforts in the Courier, he just had to lend a hand.

Andy said: “I was so impressed by Emma’s get-up-and-go and how she had selflessly thought about other people’s children at this time of year that I wanted to help.” The manager arranged to add more than 60 selection boxes to Emma’s appeal. He also treated Emma to a box of chocolates just to say thanks to her efforts.

Emma, a mum-of-five, was inspired to act after hearing about the Trussell Trust, which runs foodbanks across the United Kingdom, during a talk at Edinburgh College, where she is a student.

And she was thrilled when Tesco contacted her to add to her donation.

Emma said: “It was great to meet Andy and I was thrilled at his donation. I’m pleased that Tesco has been able to help and that the publicity has generated a positive response from them and many others.” East Lothian Foodbank is currently appealing for festive donations for this Christmas which can range from selection boxes to tree decorations and Christmas puddings. All donations should be non-perishable.

Richard Holligan, corporate affairs manager for Tesco in Scotland, said: “Stories like this and people like Emma are great at highlighting the good and necessary work that foodbanks do in our communities throughout East Lothian, Scotland and the UK.

“The level of generosity is really humbling.” Mr Holligan said that the selection boxes would be dropped off at the foodbank in Tranent in plenty of time for Christmas.