Let’s spread some Comfort and Joy!
Our latest Christmas campaign will bring festive cheer to people in need
THE NEWS today launches its new-look Comfort and Joy appeal to brighten the lives of people in need this Christmas.
We’ve teamed up with St Mary’s Church, Hive Portsmouth and Portsmouth City Council for a voucher appeal with a wider aim of strengthening community spirit.
Mark Waldron, editor of The News, said: ‘This year the need to share a little comfort and joy with those most in need is more important than ever.’
KINDNESS and love will boost spirits acros s the city as a Christmas ca ampaign brings together people from all backgroun nds in the community.
Today, The Ne ews is launching o ur Comfort and Jo oy campaign in part tnership with St t Mary’s Church, , Hive Portsmouth and Portsmouth City Council.
The return of f this popular festive e drive will see peopl le across the area dona ating vouchers to he elp 10 charities support ting those in need.
As Christmas will look different for almost everyone this year, , Comfort and Joy is expand ing on its previous offering to t encourage residents to reach r out to neighbours who o might be lonely to spread some s care and respect.
Canon Bob White, vicar of St Mary’s Church, said: ‘Earlier in the year the With Thankful Hearts Harvest campaign was overwhelmingly supported by people across the city.
‘We hope that Comfort and Joy will build on previous Christmas voucher schemes in helping us all to offer some comfort and joy to our neighbours and those who may feel isolated or marginalised in our community.
‘In what has been a challenging year and continues to be unsettling times, we can all help to share something of the Christmas message.’
This year, organisers are inviting everyone to write a Christmas card or two to send to a neighbour or someone in their street who might be alone at Christmas.
Kind gestures will be even more important this year after a tough time with the pandemic.
This campaign follows The News’ recent call for the community to sign up with Age UK to phone someone lonely this Christmas.
Thousands of pounds will be raised for good causes including Stop Domestic Abuse, the Roberts Centre and Friends Without Borders
through t h e voucher scheme this year, which gives the gift of choice to people in need.
Mark Waldron, editor of The News, said: ‘ We are so pleased to be once more working with partners across our great city for our annual Christmas campaign.
‘This year the need to share a little comfort and joy with those most in need is more important than ever.
‘So again we look to the kindness and generosity of our readers to help spread the seasonal spirit of goodwill to all in our communities.’
We hope that Comfort and Joy will build on previous Christmas voucher schemes Canon Bob White, vicar of St Mary’s Church