A massive Christmas fundraiser has raised more than £19k to help bring Christmas to the community.
The Christmas Joy Fundraiser by the Bridport Round Table has raised £19,312 at the time of publishing, far surpassing its initial goal of £10k.
The annual campaign was first launched in 2020 with the goal of providing as many families as possible a Christmas dinner, with any surplus funds going towards community causes.
This year organisers wanted to focus on helping those struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
Andy Holdridge, of the Bridport Round Table, said: “By now it is clear to everyone that this winter will probably be the hardest many of us have felt in our lifetimes.
“Families are contending with ever-increasing prices, mounting heating bills, and general uncertainty over job security.
“We are trying to do as much as we can in this difficult time. So many local people have been so generous, it has just been fantastic.”
Organisers are thrilled to have raised almost double what the previous two years' fundraisers have put together, aided by Crowdfunder’s match funding partner.
This has meant that the insurance company Aviva has been matching all donations pound for pound, doubling the donation total.
As with previous years, the money will go towards 160 Christmas Hampers for families in the Bridport and Beaminster area.
These are not emergency food parcels but hampers with all the ingredients needed for a family to enjoy a traditional family Christmas.
Additionally, the campaign will be helping people deal with the cost-of-living crisis by funding local warm spaces, providing food vouchers to vulnerable families over January and February, and creating an emergency fund pot to be accessed by locals in need of help or community workers who spot signs of distress.
Mr Holdridge added: “We wanted to do more this year for the cost-of-living crisis. It is fantastic that all this money is going towards local people in this difficult time.
“Thank you to everyone who has donated so far, the campaign will be officially closed on Friday, but people wishing to donate may still do so through the link.
“If people have a real urgent need, they can reach out to us on Facebook, and we can do our best to help.”
Today, Friday, December 23, at St Mary’s School in Bridport, members of the Round Table will be joined by volunteers from the Ladies Circle and the St Mary’s Church to prepare and send out the Christmas hampers.
Those wishing to donate may do so at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/christmas-joy-campaign-2022
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