Fundraising campaign launched to bring Christmas cheer to care homes in Wolverhampton
A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to raise £25,000 to create luxury food hampers for care homes in Wolverhampton amid Covid-19.
Wolverhampton Council made the move alongside partners in the city to ensure each of the 68 care homes can receive a treat for Christmas.
The Kindness of Christmas campaign follows on from the One City Fund – which saw more than £900,000 to help those in need amid the virus.
Councillor Ian Brookfield, leader of Wolverhampton Council, said: "Although the pandemic has been a challenging time for everyone, it has been particularly difficult for those in care homes who haven’t been able to have visits from loved ones throughout the year.
"Christmas should be time for celebration and a time to be with the ones you love, but this year we know it will be very different for a lot of families.
More Covid-19 coverage:
"We wanted to do something special for all the residents who are away from their families at this time and be able to share with them a token of our appreciation, to let them know that we are thinking of them and how important they are to us all.
"The One City Fund showed us what a resilient, caring and community-spirited city Wolverhampton is and I urge businesses and citizens to contribute whatever they can afford to this campaign that we will once again show how we look after our own."
The campaign will be delivered alongside West Midlands Police's Festive Kindness campaign which will see Christmas cards distributed to care homes – as well as food and toys to food banks.
Impact
Superintendent Simon Inglis said: "As an organisation we have seen first-hand the impact the pandemic has had on those who live and work in the city. It has been especially hard on the vulnerable, both those who are elderly and those who have suffered financial hardship due to loss of income.
"We are really keen to show those vulnerable people that they matter and we care. Our staff have donated all the food and gifts for the food banks and personally signed each of the Christmas cards. We are now keen to work together with the great council ‘Kindness of Christmas’ campaign to distribute our cards and their hampers to our care homes and the food and toys we’ve collected to our food banks.
"This year has been extraordinary and one which has affected so many people in so many ways. Let's finish it off in a really positive way and do what we can to help vulnerable people feel like they should – valued and loved."
The campaign has already received a boost from Tesco, which has pledged £500 worth of goods to kick-start the appeal in addition to producing the hampers with Wolverhampton Council.
John Brooks, Tesco store director in the West Midlands, said: "After the events of 2020, Christmas means more to people than ever. It can be a very tough time for those in care homes and away from loved ones, so this year it is even more important to show support and bring some festive cheer with a food hamper.
"The pandemic has demonstrated how people pull together through adversity, and it’s this solidarity that keeps us all going. We’re delighted to support Wolverhampton Council and the Kindness at Christmas campaign in reaching out to care home residents so they can feel supported and cared for during uncertain times."
The campaign runs until December 20 at 11.59pm. People, organisations and businesses can donate by visiting www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/kindnessofchristmasonecity
