EVERYONE DESERVES A CHRISTMAS
HELP US FEED HUNGRY FAMILIES AS ANNUAL CAMPAIGN RETURNS FOR FOURTH YEAR:
MANY of us dream of celebrating Christmas with our families following the challenges of this year.
But for some, just being able to afford a festive dinner with all the trimmings would be a dream come true.
And Evening Post readers can help to make that possible once again this year, through our Everyone Deserves a Christmas 2020 campaign.
Plans are under way to create 200 hampers in a bid to bring joy to those who need it the most during the festive season.
However, due to the Covid crisis, we are asking our readers to either donate chocolate or money to the cause this year.
Readers are being encouraged to buy boxes, tins or selection packs of chocolates towards the campaign, or give cash donations towards the special hampers for the most hard-up in our communities, with local firms also encouraged to sponsor a hamper if they can.
Carolyn Harris, MP for Swansea East who is jointly spearheading the campaign with Julie James, MS for Swansea West, said: “The Everyone Deserves a Christmas campaign is now in its fourth year and we hope to be able to help more families than ever before.
“2020 has been a difficult year for so many people.
“Swansea is now facing further local restrictions which will mean more jobs at risk, more in our communities struggling financially and more families facing a very difficult festive season.
“Julie and I are so grateful to the Swans Community Trust, Ospreys in the Community, Swansea Council, Castell Howell, Mecca Bingo, Amazon and banks and building societies across the city who have all pledged their support for this year’s hamper campaign.”
She added: “Unlike in previous years, it is not possible for my office to be a drop off point for donations, as it remains closed.
“We are instead asking members of the public, who are able to, to donate boxes of chocolates, via our donation boxes that can be found at branches of Lloyd’s Bank, Natwest, Santander and Halifax across the Swansea East and Swansea West constituencies, as well as Mecca Bingo on Carmarthen Road.
“We will also be contacting local businesses asking them to sponsor a hamper so if any local business owners would like to help please get in touch with either of our offices.
“During the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, the Swansea Together project proved what fantastic things people across our city can achieve to help those in our communities that need it.
“I hope this spirit will be replicated now so that together we can ensure that everyone is able to have the Christmas they deserve.”
Julie added: “The pandemic has already led to many people losing their jobs, with the likelihood
The Everyone Deserves a Christmas campaign is now in its fourth year and we hope to be able to help more families than ever before
- Carolyn Harris, MP
A simple box of chocolates or a donation towards the festive hamper would go a long way this festive season - Jonathan Roberts, editor of the
South Wales Evening Post
that very many more will be made redundant when this crisis ends.
“In the coming months it is likely that need will be much higher as the economy retracts.
“While need will be greater, the capacity for the community to provide financial support will be diminished.
“We know that there will be more families struggling here in Swansea and that’s why myself and Carolyn Harris MP for Swansea East are asking you to support the campaign this year.”
Jonathan Roberts, editor of the South Wales
Evening Post, said he was happy to be able to lend the paper’s support to those who are struggling in communities to be able to have a taste of Christmas.
Mr Roberts said: “The Everyone Deserves a Christmas appeal has been running for four years and has helped to bring joy during the festive season. With the Covid crisis, Christmas will be a struggle for even more people and we are hoping our readers will rally around and make a difference to those who need it most.
“A box of chocolates or a donation towards the hamper would go a long way this festive season.”
The hampers will be made on Monday, December 21, and will be delivered to people’s homes through Swansea Council’s fleet of vans and drivers.
People will also have the opportunity to collect their hampers for themselves, although this will be limited to specific times to allow social distancing restrictions to be adhered to.
Donations can be made online at the following Just Giving page. Go to https://www. justgiving.com/ campaign/hampers2020