A MALDON start-up teamed up with business magnate Theo Paphitis to put a twist on Valentine’s Day gift-giving.

Secret Hamper, set up by friends Nigel Richardson and Paul Barmby, allows people to send a hamper of essentials to family and friends.

The duo launched a campaign this month calling on people to donate a hamper to their local care home to mark Valentine’s Day.

As part of the campaign they are donating £1 to AgeUk Essex for every hamper sold.

After Nigel met Dragon’s Den star Theo Pahitis at his annual Small Business Sunday event in Birimingham earlier this month he convinced the businessman to help out.

Following a series of discussions Theo decided to put a further twist on the idea and agreed to donate 12 hampers to Shooting Star Chase, a children’s hospice charity he is patron of.

The boxes included heart shaped balloons, sweets, cake and chocolate to help youngsters enjoy an afternoon tea.

Nigel also teamed up with Tolleshunt Major based Shaken Udder which donated milkshakes and Micro Scooters who donated some scooters.

He said: “I told him we were doing this campaign for Valentine’s Day and asked if he would be interested in buying a hamper.

“He said to speak to his PA and when she came back she said Theo would love to do something but would we mind doing it for a children’s hospice.

“I delivered the hampers and met Karen Sugarman the director of fundraising who was over the moon.”

Karen has since written to Nigel thanking him for the delivery.

He added: “It is what we are all about – so you feel as if it is a hug in a box.”

Both Theo and Shooting Star Chase Hospice have since tweeted thanks to Secret Hamper.