Festive spirit - last year the Nest team handed out 80 Christmas hampers. Picture: ECFRS FIREFIGHTERS are appealing for help to create more than 120 Christmas hampers for some of the poorest families in north Essex. Les Nicoll, community builder at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, and his charity North Essex Support Team (Nest) are fundraising and collecting donations of toys to surprise families who may not be able to afford food for Christmas Day and presents for their children. The service will deliver hampers containing food for breakfast, Christmas dinner and teatime treats. The hampers will also contain small gifts for children, toiletries and pots and pans to cook with.