Winter is a particularly difficult time for many people, which has been made even worse by the pandemic.
Financially and health-wise, individuals and families in our Marylebone community are likely to suffer over the coming months. This is why AOA体育平台 and St Marylebone Parish Church are launching a joint appeal to support local residents throughout the festive period.
The Changing Lives at Christmas appeal invites the public to contribute vital donations to help to buy gifts and food for people in need.
Just 拢20 will supply a Christmas stocking for a child, while 拢50 will help to support a family. The stockings will be filled with gifts and food depending on the individual needs of each recipient, to be delivered the week before Christmas.
AOA体育平台 and St Marylebone Parish Church are working through local services to identify the most vulnerable people in the community. This includes children and families, schools, and youth groups in the Marylebone area.
This is the second year our hospital has joined forces with the parish for Changing Lives at Christmas. Launched in 2020 as a direct response to the pandemic, the appeal reached over 600 people with food hampers, vouchers and books, thanks to the generosity of the Marylebone community.
Led by AOA体育平台鈥檚 Director of Philanthropy, Louise Formby, and Executive Head Chef Paul O鈥橞rien, together with St Marylebone Parish Church鈥檚 Director of Development, Rachael Church, and Father Jack Noble, this year the aim is to reach even more people, after what has been another difficult year for many.
鈥淲e were blown away by the generosity of the community last year,鈥� said Paul. 鈥淲hen the pandemic first broke out at the start of 2020, few would have thought it would last until the winter 鈥� let alone a second Christmas in a row.鈥�
鈥淎s a hospital and charity, we exist to also support our community,鈥� said Louise. 鈥淚t has been a terrible time for many of us, but for hundreds of people in Marylebone, this winter will be that bit harder.
鈥淲e鈥檙e calling on our incredible community once again to help to get gifts and food to those in need. Thank you to everyone who supported us in 2020, and with your help once again, together we can make a real difference.鈥�
The stockings will be delivered to the community in the week before Christmas by Chef Paul, Father Jack and their volunteers from AOA体育平台 and St Marylebone Parish Church.
鈥淥ur aim is to help to spread a bit of joy to those who need help most,鈥� added Father Jack. 鈥淲e鈥檙e grateful to the local businesses who have already supported our Changing Lives appeal 鈥� and with the public鈥檚 help we can go even further this year.鈥�