People across the region are giving up their Christmas Day to give back to others
People across the region are giving up their Christmas Day to give back to others
Thousands of people will wake up on December 25 and celebrate the festivities with friends and family. But others will give up their Christmas Day to make it special for other people, who may not have friends and family or a warm home to go to.
The ECHO has decided to celebrate some of the people across our region who are spreading the Christmas spirit and volunteering this year. This includes the Cox family who have organised a community Christmas Dinner for locals at St. Nicholas Centre in Halewood.
Amanda Cox will be joined by her mum, daughter and son who will all be helping with the Christmas preparations, from prepping the food on Christmas Eve to Amanda picking guests up in her minibus, as some people may not be able to easily leave the house.
Amanda told the ECHO: “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I don’t like the thought of people spending Christmas Day alone. Christmas is meant to be for families, plus its nice food, nice company, and an excuse for people to dress up.
“All we ask is for you to bring your smile. There’s been quite a good response so far, but there’ll be plenty for those who haven’t had the chance to pre-book. Everyone is so excited!”
On the day, the Cox family will be offering each guest a seat at their Christmas table, with a glass of prosecco to start and a four-course dinner to enjoy, including a cheeseboard and a gift for each person. With the cost of living crisis, Amanda said this gift is likely to be something practical such as socks or scarves to wrap up warm.
The dinner is largely available to Knowsley residents, although Amanda has said they will not be turning away anyone who attends. Debbie Maher is also opening the doors of her salon, Elysium Hair and Beauty, on County Road in Walton on Christmas morning to serve breakfast to people who may otherwise spend the day alone.
The free breakfasts include sausage and bacon baps and hot drinks, all donated by the local community. Debbie said there has been an incredible response from residents who have also donated toys for children who attend on December 25.
Debbie told the ECHO: “I run a salon all year round so all types of people come in, lonely because some people have no family or the young mums who can’t afford it and now they’re staying in a hostel. I hear a lot so I know Christmas is not the best time for everybody.”
Debbie and her team have also visited some of the local shelters and hostels in the city centre, to let people know about their Christmas Day breakfast.
There will be someone dressed as Father Christmas, as well as many helpful elves, and if people aren’t able to get to the salon themselves, Debbie’s team are happy to arrange transport for them.
Debbie said this will also be incredibly important to some of those in recovery who aren’t currently able to be with their families. She added: “It’s not always been great, and I’ve experienced that loneliness, it is definitely heightened at Christmas, so if you can take that away from someone at Christmas, like the lads in recovery, for just five hours, then it’s worth it.”
Debbie made sure to mention Natasha from her team, who has wrapped all the presents herself, MJ who will be hosting the event as part of the live entertainment, and her son, partner and brother who are all giving up their Christmas Day to help with the festivities.
Over in St Helens, the Park Farm Community Centre is also opening its doors for a community Christmas Day dinner for their third year running. The idea originally came from one of the centre’s trustees David Bishop, who noticed there wasn’t many Christmas Day meals in the area for those spending the festive season alone.
The centre hoped the meal would help to reduce loneliness in the community, with up to 20 people having attended in previous years. The centre also delivers food to people in need who can’t attend the meal in person.
Volunteers can help out by preparing the meal, serving drinks and leading the carol singers. Centre manager Craig Fryer told the ECHO: “My favourite part of the day is after we’ve eaten when everyone has full bellies and smiles on their faces. They tell us how much it means to them.”
San Marino Italian Bar & Restaurant, based in Widnes town centre, are usually closed on Christmas Day, but this year they’ve decided to open up their doors to anyone who may be feeling lonely.
The restaurant put a call out on social media to offer a free meal to anybody who might be spending Christmas Day alone. The team have reached out to local churches, schools and foodbanks to ensure the event reaches those who need it the most.
Miraz Yolfu told the ECHO they wanted to reach out to those who will be lonely on Christmas and do what they could to support them. He said: “On the day, for so many people the price [at restaurants] is higher and not everyone can afford that so they won’t go out, and some are elderly are unable to cook, so we’re offering this for those people.”
