Playstation games, Nerf guns, cuddly toys, jewellery, a Christmas turkey - all and much more have been donated to strangers in need via the Facebook page Penarth Reuse Project.

The group, established by resident Lara Hopkinson, has long been a place for the community-minded to divert items they no longer use away from landfill and towards other Penarthians.

But since new lockdown restrictions were imposed on Saturday night, the project has seen the largest outpouring of generosity and goodwill since it began over a year ago.

Members have posted over 500 gifts in just over two days. They are being claimed by members of the community most affected by the pandemic, enabling them to have a special Christmas at the end of a difficult year.

"The response has been totally phenomenal to be honest," Lara tells Nub News. "I actually can't quite believe how generous people are being."

Inspired by a similar page established by a friend in her hometown St Albans, Lara founded Penarth Reuse Project in September 2019. Over 4,000 residents have joined as members.

"It's all just about giving things another useful life with someone else instead of just chucking it away," she says. "It just sort of went viral - that's the only way to describe it really.

"Then, since Saturday, I've had various people getting in touch saying 'what if we offer gifts for people in need?' because obviously all the regulations changed so dramatically over such a short period of time. Of course I said yes.

"We're trying to focus in on gifts for children for parents whose situations may have changed drastically over the last few days. We've got to be mindful that certain sectors have had to close suddenly so people are really struggling.

"We don't need to know the details of why people are struggling, which just shows that Penarth really is an amazing community. Everyone wants to help."

Perhaps most remarkably, some residents have been buying gifts and donating them directly to group members in need. Gifts and stocking fillers are coming in thick and fast as I type.

"It makes me so happy," says Lara. "I can't take credit for it really, I just facilitate it. It's all down to the people of Penarth and the amazing community spirit.

"Generosity is everywhere."

If you have anything you would like to donate or are struggling to buy gifts this Christmas, head over to the Penarth Reuse Project Facebook page.