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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Alison Rennie

Volunteers thanked for their festive efforts

Organisers of a community Christmas lunch appeal have thanked volunteers and businesses for making it a success.

St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation organises Festive Friends to ensure lonely and isolated people don’t go without.

It has held a Christmas lunch at the stadium but due to covid, for the last two years they’ve visited people’s homes to drop off lunches and gifts.

In Christmas 2021, 50 volunteers spent Christmas Day delivering dinner, hampers and a gift to 250 households across Renfrewshire.

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Many also went back out on New Years Day to first foot people with a steak pie and a gift.

Gayle said the change in how the support is delivered has helped those in need access the right services.

“It can be hard for our volunteers to see how some people live in our community,” she said. “But because we’re going to people’s doors we can see if they maybe don’t have a carpet or haven’t got their heating on.

“That means we can point them in the right direction and help them get support from the right people.”

Gayle said the success of the event is down to everyone who takes part.

Cooking in the St Mirren kitchen (St Mirren Charitable Trust)

“We want to thank all of the amazing 50 volunteers who worked so hard and gave so much of their time on Christmas Day,” she said. “They were honestly incredible.

“Kate Cooper, manager of SMFC Women’s team cooked all of the festive dinners and the food was delicious.

“Home Instead donated all of the Christmas Gifts for our elderly people. The young people of Kibble hand made over 300 decorations. Company Shop, Morrison’s, Tesco, Glasgow Airport, Sweet Punkz, A&A Bakery and Glasgow Airport plus our fans all donated the items for our food hampers.

“Thanks to our partners and volunteers we were able to deliver a delicious festive dinner, luxury food hamper and bespoke gift to over 250 elderly and vulnerable people.

“On Christmas Day, we even went back out on New Years Day to first foot some people and surprise them with a yummy steak pie and gift.

“Everyone helped to make Christmas Day and the new year a lot brighter and a great deal less lonely for so many members of our community.”

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