They are busy preparing for Christmas at the Cardinal Hume Centre, which stands in the shadow of Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, and its founder back in 1986, the late, much-missed Basil Hume. For weeks chief executive Cathy Corcoran has only been able to get into her bright, airy, upper-ground-floor office in the former convent that houses the centre by climbing over piles of gifts, donated by local schools, businesses, parishes and individuals.

“I know we are all meant to say that Christmas is magical, but it really is here. There are people bringing in food and presents, volunteers busy wrapping them, and children in our family centre getting very, very excited.