Hundreds of volunteers will wrap and deliver Christmas presents to disadvantaged Leigh Park families
and live on Freeview channel 276
Throughout the year, the dedicated team from FreeBank and FoodBank PO9 have collected gifts from the community to offer to families in need of a little extra support around Christmas time.
Hundreds of people will father in St Francis Church, Riders Lane, on Saturday, December 21 to wrap presents between midday and 5pm and everyone is welcome to help out.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThis popular event has grown and this year will be held over two days and two venues to accommodate the number of volunteers wanting to bring joy to the community.
FoodBank organiser Darren Mckenna said: ‘This is the fourth year of the Big Wrap, starting out of the boot of my car dressed as Santa delivering gifts and sweets to families that had used FoodBank PO9.
‘Since then my team has grown and our FreeBank PO9 project which equips people with clothes, furniture and home and school equipment throughout the year has developed a two-day event bringing members of the community together to donate, wrap and deliver gifts and food to what will this year exceed 500 individuals.’
Families with a driver who would be willing to deliver food and gifts to families in Leigh Park are encouraged to help out at the Community Centre on Sunday, December 22 from midday to 4pm.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdIn addition to this, the team is asking for food donations which include non-perishables which are requested all year round but also for those extras that make the season more pleasant.
This includes anything you would buy for your own families over the festive period such as boxes of biscuits and crackers, chocolates, sweets, stuffing and cranberry sauce.
They also need to secure donations of fresh meat, fish and vegetables to go out with hampers on December 22.
Refreshments, activities and festive treats will be supplied over the weekend and any profits made will directly fund FoodBank PO9 in 2020.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdDarren added: ‘We work closely with churches, community centres, schools and local businesses to identify families we support but we are 100 per cent community led and self-funded.
‘Not a single penny goes to anything but helping our community, no one excluded and everyone welcome.’
Comment Guidelines
National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.