Shepherd’s Star, a Richmond based charity is asking locals to help fundraising for their annual Christmas initiative in partnership with achieving for children.
It aims to produce 70 ‘Christmas boxes’ each containing enough holiday goodies for Christmas eve, the main event and boxing day.
Each box is filled with Christmas essentials including traditional roast meat, seasonal vegetables, fruit, dessert, biscuits and the kids favourite – Christmas crackers.
The charity’s partnership with achieving for children means the most in-need families are selected to ensure everyone experiences joy at Christmas.
A family supported by the initiative in previous years said: “The Christmas box was amazing, we were able to celebrate a lovely Christmas dinner, something I thought was impossible due to our financial situation.
“Seeing my daughters’ faces light up made it even more special, words can’t describe how grateful we are!”
Shepherd’s Star have raised over £10,000 for the cause over the past two years, and so have decided to increase their fundraising target to £6,000 this year, allowing them to reach more homes and spread more joy.
It is asking for members of the local community including businesses to help them spread joy by donating to their JustGiving page.
Communications and fundraising lead for Shephard’s Star, Laura Stone said: “The things we need are things like takeaway containers, these are a huge weekly expense for us, however they are essential so that our guests can take food away with them.
“If anyone would like to fund towards that we would be very appreciative.
“For me, being a charity in the Christmas period means being a place where we can celebrate the joy of being together, that for me is such a highlight and I love the joy on people’s faces when they gather.”
The charity has highlighted that for those unable to provide monetary donations, it is always looking for volunteers to aid in its ever-expanding list of events, particularly at Christmas.
It is particularly interested in volunteers who have administrative backgrounds (not essential) to assist with the digitalisation of their data backlog.
Stone added: “So many of our beneficiaries experience social isolation and are from a background of limited means, meaning they skip meals and avoid using heating so for them to come to a place that takes those stresses away is special.
“Its giving someone a pocket of joy, somewhere for people to go where they feel celebrated, noticed and like they belong – I think there’s something in that.”
Scan the QR code below to donate to their JustGiving page.
Featured image credit: Shepherd’s Star
