A Sheffield charity that supports the homeless, Homeless and Rootless at Christmas (HARC) has been donated 276 meat pies by UK Snooker Championship winner, Ding Junhui,

The Chinese player won the bizarre award by tournament sponsors Pukka Pies. They promised the winner his body weight in pies. Ding beat John Higgins 10-8 in a thrilling final, winning £100,000. He said that he wore extra clothes, and would have put some snooker balls in his pockets in order to add a bit of extra weight, and win some more pies for HARC.

Ding said: “I love Sheffield. I want to help those less fortunate than me at Christmas.” He now lives in Sheffield after having left China, and his donation was welcomed by HARC, whose spokesman said: “We’re so grateful for the generosity. The donation is a great help to us in feeding those who come to us because they have nowhere else to go, as we are the only Sheffield organisation which is open to help the homeless over Christmas and New Year.”

We say: Brilliant, and innovative. That’s how to donate to charity – do something that means something to you, and your community.