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A seven-year-old child has written a heartbreaking letter to Father Christmas asking for a house and food for her family.

Local Labour councillor, Gerard Woodhouse who runs the L6 Community Centre, on Queens Road, Everton posted a photo on Twitter of the hand-written note asking Santa for help.

The team at the community building had started decorating for Christmas and had placed a 'Santa postbox' in the café for children who were visiting the centre to post their Christmas wishlists.

However, as Cllr Woodhouse was passing the postbox he found the upsetting note that asked Father Christmas whether he could help.

The letter read: "Dear Father Christmas. Can you help? Can we have a home for Christmas?

"Mam wants us to be all together, can you give us some food and can I just have just nice doll for Christmas. Thank you."

(Image: Gerard Woodhouse)

Cllr Woodhouse said the letter shows the reality at how much some families in Merseyside are struggling.

He told the ECHO: "This is what we're in sadly. What is upsetting is a seven-year-old in November is already worrying about Christmas.

"No wonder young people have mental health problems, it's just so sad.

"Unfortunately it is what we see at the L6 centre.

"This is just one of many that we're going to see from now until Christmas."

The councillor said he and the L6 centre team are trying their best to help the family with basic needs such as accommodation and food.

Cllr Woodhouse also believes the amount of referrals the centre will receive this year will increase from the previous year.

He added: "Referrals are coming in already in November and it is just so sad.

"Last year was bad, but it is going to be worse this year, we're seeing it now and we don't officially open for referrals - we have over a 100 so far."

The L6 centre will be hosting a Christmas light switch on on December 2, starting at 4pm.

A grotto will also be outside for children where they can meet Santa and a series of Christmas events will be hosted throughout the workshops December.

The team at the L6 Community Centre are giving out more than 20,000 toys for children and will also accepting emergency referrals leading up to Christmas day.

The centre has also set up a GoFundMe page to support their foodbank and Christmas appeal.

To donate please click here.