EVERY pound donated to a charity which supports local vulnerable or disadvantaged individuals and families in the Malmesbury area this week will be doubled.

Malmesbury welfare charity HEALS (which stands for help, empowerment and local support) will be running three special fundraising events this week to take advantage of Big Give Week's - which starts on Tuesday, November 28 and ends on Tuesday, December 5 - doubling pot.

More than a dozen local businesses have already pledged £5,000 to the charity.

The first fundraising event to kick off Big Give Week will be a special screening by Movies@Malmesbury of Ken Loach's latest film The Old Oak at Malmesbury Town Hall's newly refurbished cinema which will start at 7pm on Tuesday, November 28.

Residents will also be able to support the cause by buying tickets at the charity's Tomboozla stall at the Malmesbury Late Night Christmas Shopping event on Friday, December 1. 

A sell-out Christmas Wreath Making workshop will also be taking place at the Town Hall on Saturday, December 2.

All the funds raised from these three events will go towards the charity’s winter programme which includes two community lunches, two pantomimes and a huge Santa run with Christmas gifts for more than 200 children.

Donations can also be made through Big Give Week's website until midday on Tuesday, December 5.