JINGLE CELLS!
PRISONERS DONATE GIFTS AND FOOD TO GIVE HARD-UP FAMILIES ‘BEST CHRISTMAS EVER’
STRUGGLING families have thanked prisoners for helping them celebrate their ‘best Christmas ever.’
Inmates at HMP Hindley in Wigan decided to help three families who were ‘dreading’ the festive period.
They bought them a massive haul of food and gifts, as well as inviting them to a Christmas dinner at the prison.
The families have now visited the jail to thank them for their efforts.
Among them was mum-of-two, Julie Hodkinson, from Leigh.
After her husband left her at the end of 2018, Julie’s health deteriorated and resulted in her losing her job. Out of work and low on money, she was forced to turn to a food bank to help feed her two boys, aged five and six.
With Christmas fast approaching, she feared she would be unable to buy the youngsters any presents. She said: “It was the worst year ever. I was worried about what I was going to get the boys. I have always worked so I was wondering what I was going to do.”
Upon hearing of her plight, the prisoners decided to raise money through a series of challenges, while they also donated food towards the food bank.
Prisoners performing jobs such as cleaning and cooking during their time behind bars can earn from £2-£10 a week and some regularly donated a chunk of their wage to the families. The money was used to take Julie and the other two families out shopping, where they were treated to hundreds of pounds worth of food and presents.
Julie said: “It is amazing what these guys have done. The boys were spoilt with food and presents. They had the best Christmas ever, they came downstairs in the morning and could not believe everything they had.
“It was a blessing because it has come from such an unlikely source. I think they feel like they are putting something back.” One prisoner said he decided to get involved as soon as he heard the family was in trouble.
He was jailed after being convicted of fraud in 2018 and said he was ashamed of being behind bars so wanted to show his remorse.
He said: “When you are locked away in here, you do not see the real world.
“I could not imagine not being able to give something to my children at Christmas. It is nice to hear that we made their Christmas.”
Another said he felt ‘humbled’ when he heard the impact they had had on the families. He said: “People think we are selfish but as soon we were told it was women and kids, everyone wanted to help in some way.”
Prison bosses say there has been a 45 per cent reduction in violence since the initiative started.
Nick Cooper, a prison officer at HMP Hindley, said “Things like this give the prisoners a feeling of empowerment. A lot of lads have come from that sort of background and might have family in a similar situation so it really resonates.”
It was a blessing because it has come from such an unlikely source
Julie Hodkinson