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Page 16
Volunteers’ gift of Christmas cheer to vulnerable families By Eva Astrienidou A GROUP of volunteers showed a true sense of community by treating 43 vulnerable and isolated families to a warm meal and gifts just in time for Christmas. The Balsam Family Project laid on a two-course lunch with turkey and all the trimmings to around 175 people from Didcot and surrounding areas over the weekend. The event at Didcot Civic Hall was made possible thanks to a collaboration with local charities and businesses to ensure the families they work with had ‘a day to remember’. In addition to the hearty food, volunteers from Didcot-based Secret Santa were also there to hand out wrapped gifts, while Didcot Foodbank donated festive hampers worth £2,000 to £3,000 for the families to have something to take home with them. Children at the event also left with a book each, donated by Bright Horizons Nurseries. Alex Walker, Balsam founder and project manager, said: “For a charity that aims to bring families – and family members – closer together, nothing could be more rewarding than looking out on a sea of happy faces and watching people enjoy being with and around loved ones at Christmas time. “We believe in the value of every adult and child and seek to encourage
Thomas brings in Christmas Families enjoyed a lunch and presents thanks to the Balsam Family Project event at Didcot Civic Hall at the weekend a sense of worth and value that parents can pass on to their own children.” Didcot Mayor Jackie Billington was there to help serve up the traditional fare, while a host of entertainment, including singer and guitarist John Hobbs and children’s entertainers, lifted the audience’s spirits. The Balsam Family Project aims to provide support that tackles the root causes of family and community breakdown, even providing parents with guidance on how to improve their parenting skills. The charity runs college courses to help parents practise newly-learned skills, many of whom were handed certificates during the day. One of the recipients, single mum Amanda, said: “I’m overwhelmed with the kind words said about me and I’ll be volunteering for the charity after I complete my course.”
FAMILIES braved the snow and icy weather to enjoy the company of Thomas the Tank Engine and Father Christmas as Didcot Railway Centre hosted its Christmas special on Saturday and Sunday. The Fat Controller supervised throughout the day, taking photos with admiring children and helping young friends on their journey to visit Father Christmas in his grotto. The events will run this weekend and next weekend, with Thomas’ last scheduled run at 3pm on each day. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/ycmbqh5a.
The Fat Controller greets Taylor and Lily who came with their family from Birmingham, wearing festive coloured coats and hats Picture: Didcot Railway Centre
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