Christmas Appeal

Christmas really is the time for giving, so we’ve rounded up some fantastic opportunities for you to get involved and support some local charities in need of a little extra help over the festive period. Here’s a summary of how you can show your support, get in touch to get involved.

Gifts for the Elderly

The Newpin Family Centre supports families at every stage and runs a drop-in session for elderly residents from the deprived Church Street area, where many of whom suffer from social isolation, and use the centre for community interaction and to form friendships.

How you can help: the centre is seeking 40 presents up to the value of £10 each, festive treats and gifts are welcome.

Food Hampers

Home-Start offers vital support and practical help to families and children facing challenging circumstances. Over the festive period, many families will be struggling with food poverty but with your help, we hope to make their Christmas special with essential everyday items as well as treats for all the family.

How you can help: Home-Start is seeking 15 food hampers non-perishable essentials like rice pasta, tinned pulses and vegetables, boxed juices, snacks and sanitary products. Festive treats like chocolates, mince pies and snacks are also welcome.

Food donations for local food bank and community meals

North Paddington Food Bank serves wards in North Westminster and provides a minimum of three-day emergency food and support to families experiencing crisis.

Food Cycle combines surplus food, spare kitchen spaces and volunteers to create three-course meals for people at risk of food poverty and social isolation. Over the holiday season, the charity will continue to support people who are hungry and lonely by serving tasty lunches and dinners every Wednesday.

How you can help: host a Food Drive in your business and collect non-perishable items to help the feed those in need over the holidays. Items required are: Cereals, tinned lentils, fruit and meat, oils, condiments, dried pasta, rice and toiletries.

Fundraising Opportunities

St John’s Hospice provides high quality specialised care to more than 4,000 terminally-ill patients and their families every year. All services are completely free.

How you can help: the hospice has as range of sponsorship opportunities from decorations to Christmas lunches to therapy treatments, many of which cost only a few hundred pounds but would make the world of difference at Christmas. Use the festive season to host a fundraising activity at your offices and contribute to this fantastic cause. You can view a full sponsorship wish list here.