Businesses rally round to pay for festive care home hampers
TO show their unified support for care providers across the city, local businesses and organisations including the University of Portsmouth, Wightlink and Hovertravel have purchased £70 Christmas hampers to deliver to the 39 Portsmouth care homes and auxiliary home care providers.
The initiative has been co-ordinated by Shaping Portsmouth who will organise the delivery of the hampers in the week leading up to Christmas.
Chief executive Stef Nienaltowski said: ‘ We’ve been inundated with pledges of support from our sponsors and now have pledges of 55 hampers which will be delivered to care providers for staff and residents to share and enjoy.
‘It’s hugely important to recognise the work which has been carried out by our care providers.
‘The support from local businesses, schools and colleges really shows the true sense of community in the city which has been incredible to see.’
‘I think this support shows just how much the city’s community values its care community.’
Special praise was reserved for the children of Portsmouth Grammar School (PGS) who’ve donated 500 items to create 25 hampers.
Assistant headteacher of PGS Middle School, Julie Jackson, said: ‘‘Many of our students have older relatives they’ve been unable to see and I think the situation in care homes of residents not being able to get together with families is something they can relate to and they wanted to show their support.’
Subetsha Vasanthan, 12, said: ‘Some old people can’t see their families this year. We have the opportunities to enjoy Christmas and it’s nice if we can help them to enjoy theirs.’
Classmate Reuben Teasdale, also 12, added: ‘During Covid not many have been out or been to see families so we want to help to keep them in high spirits.’