Welcome to the Richmond Christmas Day Dinner 2022

Our new partnership with Madlug

Featured by christmasdayrichmond, posted in Uncategorized

The #1 UK bag brand that helps you give dignity to children in care. Life Goes Inside™

We recognise that you may not need a new bag but you still want to get involved in the story of helping children in care carry their life with dignity. We also recognise that many of you will want to add more bags to your order and be able to help more children and young people.

Donating a bag or extra bags is a great way to help this become a reality. So click here to find out more and buy a Madlug

And you can help us in so many ways:

Could you make a donation to the event or perhaps volunteer to join one of the committees we are setting up? If you can, please email christmasdayrichmond@gmail.com and get in touch.

Our fundraising has started and you can donate to help us make Christmas 2020 unforgettable for our guests by clicking here

If you’d like to give one of our guests a Christmas present via our Amazon Wish List click here

Follow us on social media and spread the word. You’ll find the latest updates and how to help on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram

Big Yellow are Big partners of Christmas Day Richmond

Featured by christmasdayrichmond, posted in Our Supporters, Uncategorized

THE GOOD news keeps on coming for our project to give up to 50 care leavers a Christmas Day they will never forget with confirmation of a partnership with the lovely people at Big Yellow Storage for the second year running.

The UK’s favourite self storage company have been generous enough to give us room at their Twickenham branch to store everything from wrapping paper, presents and decorations ahead of the big game.

The new partnership with Big Yellow – which has high profile, easy–to–access locations across the UK -will stretch into 2018 as well so giving us a much better chance of repeating out incredible event next year too.

Big Yellow join a number of local and national organisations as recent supporters of the Richmond Christmas Day Dinner project inspired by the poet Lemn Sissay. Their generous support along with a highly motivated project team will bring a day to remember for our guests on the big day!

The main focus of the project now is to gather more presents for our guests so if you’d like to take part why not buy a present we can give out on Christmas Day. You can help us in so many ways:

Could you make a donation to the event or perhaps volunteer to join one of the committees we are setting up? If you can, please email christmasdayrichmond@gmail.com and get in touch.

Our fundraising has started and you can donate to help us make Christmas 2020 unforgettable for our guests by clicking here

If you’d like to give one of our guests a Christmas present via our Amazon Wish List click here

Follow us on social media and spread the word. You’ll find the latest updates and how to help on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram

Or watch an interview Lemn did on the BBC talking about the Christmas Day Dinner concept or click here for more details.

Would you like to help us wrap presents for our guests?

November 21, 2021November 21, 2021 by christmasdayrichmond, posted in Uncategorized

Christmas is almost here and thanks to the generosity of so many people we have some presents to wrap for our guests. Would you like to help? Sign up for one of the sessions below if you are good with sellotape, wrapping paper and a scissors! Or even if you aren’t!

There is still time to but presents for our guests. If you’d like to buy something for our of our care leavers there are two simple ways:

From our Amazon list – Click here and select from our wish list.
There is a lovely shop on Church Street, Twickenham – The Hare and the Moon – that holds a gift list for us if you click here – checkout code ‘Richmond’. Or you can go in and choose something you like and they will hold on to and distribute it to us nearer the event.

MY EXPERIENCE OF THE CHRISTMAS DAY DINNER

November 1, 2021November 8, 2021 by christmasdayrichmond, posted in Uncategorized

One of the care leavers, Alex, who has attended our events in previous years shared their experiences of the Richmond Christmas Day Dinner

“It’s so special that so many people volunteer and give up their own Christmas to spend it with us and make our Christmas special. If you have children you’re also welcome to bring them along, which is so nice as I have a son.

One year I was unable to attend because I was ill, it was one of the worst Christmas I had. During Covid, we weren’t able to have a Christmas dinner, but volunteers still made Christmas dinner for us and delivered it with presents, which is so nice and kind and is a reminder that there are people that care.

“It’s so special that so many people volunteer and give up their own Christmas to spend it with us and make our Christmas special.”

Also for the Christmas dinners transport is provided there and back via cab which is such a big thing as for me and I’m sure other people it just wouldn’t be possible to attend without it and would mean we would have to spend it alone. I am very grateful as I’m sure so many other care leavers are, to be able to be a part of Christmas dinner.

Thank you. Xx”

Everything happens because of our wonderful volunteers. We would love you to get involved with the Richmond Christmas Day Dinner. There are so many ways that you can help:

Could you be a host or helper for our wonderful event on 25 December? Fill in the form by clicking here and make a big impact in the lives of so many people

Would you like to buy one of our wonderful guests a Christmas gift? Well you can if you click here and select from our wishlist.

Could you make a donation to the event or perhaps volunteer to join one of the committees we are setting up? If you can, please email christmasdayrichmond@gmail.com and get in touch – we’d love to hear from you.

Our fundraising has started and you can donate to help us make Christmas 2021 unforgettable for our guests by clicking here.

Follow us on social media and spread the word. You’ll find the latest updates and how to help on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram

Why I’m involved – Heather Mathew

November 11, 2019November 1, 2020 by christmasdayrichmond, posted in Our Supporters, Supporters, Uncategorized

You cannot go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are , and change the ending” (CS Lewis).

I am proud to be involved in The Richmond Christmas Day Dinner, as it gives me the chance to be part of a diverse community of people that, through our contributions, our time and our love create a magical and heartfelt experience for 60 guests on Christmas Day.

In a world that can feel so cynical and selfish, The Richmond Christmas Day Dinner is a beautiful reminder of the difference that we can make through our actions, the currency of kindness that only multiplies the more we give it, and provides a return that is immeasurable.

I am inspired and humbled by our guests, and am delighted to be able to play a small part in showing them they are loved and valued, and part of a community locally that is here for them, long after the presents are unwrapped and the Christmas lights switched off.

You can join Heather and help us spread the word about the Richmond Christmas Day Dinner in your networks, particularly Facebook, What’s App Groups, LinkedIn and any newsletters you may have access to. You can help us in three key ways by sharing these links:

You can help us in so many ways:

Could you make a donation to the event or perhaps volunteer to join one of the committees we are setting up? If you can, please email christmasdayrichmond@gmail.com and get in touch.

Our fundraising has started and you can donate to help us make Christmas 2020 unforgettable for our guests by clicking here

If you’d like to give one of our guests a Christmas present via our Amazon Wish List click here

Follow us on social media and spread the word. You’ll find the latest updates and how to help on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram

Richmond Waitrose offer their support

October 23, 2019November 1, 2020 by christmasdayrichmond, posted in Our Supporters, Supporters, Uncategorized

We are delighted to confirm that the Richmond brand of Waitrose are supporting our wonderful project this year, along with a number of other local companies.

You can help us spread the word about the Richmond Christmas Day Dinner in your networks, particularly Facebook, What’s App Groups, LinkedIn and any newsletters you may have access to. You can help us in so many ways:

Could you make a donation to the event or perhaps volunteer to join one of the committees we are setting up? If you can, please email christmasdayrichmond@gmail.com and get in touch.

Our fundraising has started and you can donate to help us make Christmas 2020 unforgettable for our guests by clicking here

If you’d like to give one of our guests a Christmas present via our Amazon Wish List click here

Follow us on social media and spread the word. You’ll find the latest updates and how to help on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram

Haymarket Media Group are supporting the Richmond Christmas Day Dinner

November 13, 2018November 15, 2018 by christmasdayrichmond, posted in Our Supporters, Supporters

Thank you to the team at Haymarket Media Group, who have offices in Twickenham, for becoming the latest supporter of the Richmond Christmas Day Dinner.

If you’d like to, join Haymarket as one of the supporters of the Richmond Christmas Day Dinner then email christmasdayrichmond@gmail.com

Or if you’d like to buy a present for one of our care leaves click here

For more details see www.christmasdayrichmond.com

http://www.haymarket.com

Why I’m involved in this great project by Barbara Regnier

November 27, 2017November 1, 2020 by christmasdayrichmond, posted in Uncategorized

“I wanted to be involved with the Christmas Dinner Day project because Christmas can be a lonely day for a lot of people, and its great to be involved in something locally that is challenging, exciting and should be brilliant for all those involved and those who come!

“I also think it’s something interesting to do using my experience and skills and meet some fabulous people in the process.”

You can help us in so many ways:

Could you make a donation to the event or perhaps volunteer to join one of the committees we are setting up? If you can, please email christmasdayrichmond@gmail.com and get in touch.

Our fundraising has started and you can donate to help us make Christmas 2020 unforgettable for our guests by clicking here

If you’d like to give one of our guests a Christmas present via our Amazon Wish List click here

Follow us on social media and spread the word. You’ll find the latest updates and how to help on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram

Find out why Adriana Thomas has become one of our volunteers

November 15, 2017November 3, 2021 by christmasdayrichmond, posted in Uncategorized

“I have worked with care leavers for the last eight years and I absolutely love getting to know the young people, spending time with them and supporting them.

“But every year, when our doors closed for the Christmas period, it broke my heart to know that so many of them would be spending it alone.

“Christmas is such a family time and through no fault of their own many are denied this experience. I was so happy to learn that this amazing project was happening in Richmond this year and there was no way I could not get involved!

“Every day since I started volunteering I’ve been blown away by the continuous flow of kind gestures and contributions from our wonderful community. It feels like an incredible thing to be a part of.”

If you’d like to join Adriana you can help us in so many ways:

Everything happens because of our wonderful volunteers. We would love you to get involved with the Richmond Christmas Day Dinner in so many ways:

Would you like to buy one of our wonderful guests a Christmas gift? Well you can if you click here and select from our wishlist.

Our fundraising has started and you can donate to help us make Christmas 2021 unforgettable for our guests by clicking here.

Follow us on social media and spread the word. You’ll find the latest updates and how to help on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram

Let me tell you why I’m involved – by Maia Honan

November 2, 2017November 3, 2021 by christmasdayrichmond, posted in Uncategorized

“I’m thrilled to be able to play a small part in helping make Christmas Day special for these young people.

“I have no experience of care leavers but the more I hear, the more I understand how important this is, and the more I want to do.

“The momentum behind this project, and the commitment and care being poured in by the various volunteers and the response from friends, family, strangers and local businesses is something to behold. It’s truly life-affirming. It’s going to be a fantastic day and it won’t just be the guests who walk away with beautiful memories.“

Would you like to join Maia?

Everything happens because of our wonderful volunteers. We would love you to get involved with the Richmond Christmas Day Dinner in so many ways:

Would you like to buy one of our wonderful guests a Christmas gift? Well you can if you click here and select from our wishlist.

Our fundraising has started and you can donate to help us make Christmas 2021 unforgettable for our guests by clicking here.

Follow us on social media and spread the word. You’ll find the latest updates and how to help on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram