Organisers of a Christmas Day dinner for care leavers in Birmingham have launched an appeal for donations, presents, volunteers and transport to help make the magic happen.
The first ever Birmingham Christmas Dinner will see care leavers aged 18-30 treated to an extra-special Christmas meal, while enjoying a day of games and good company at a secret venue in the city.
Dinners elsewhere in the country have been a big success in recent years and founder of the Birmingham event Mike Dennis, himself a care leaver, is determined to host a Christmas Day to remember.
Mike, who has recruited a small army of volunteers to get the project off the ground, said: “The sad fact is that many care leavers spend Christmas Day with no definite place to go and it can be one of the toughest, loneliest days of the year.
“We want our guests to look forward to Christmas Day, so we’re planning a warm, welcoming, happy day with great food, fantastic company and lots of laughs.
“Similar events have been a big success elsewhere in the country and I’m confident we can host a Christmas Day to remember for our guests in Birmingham.”
Mike and his fellow volunteers are working with poet Lemn Sissay MBE, who first hosted Christmas dinners for care leavers in Hackney and Manchester four years ago.
To ensure the Birmingham dinner is a success, organisers are appealing for:
- Donations
- Christmas gifts
- Transportation
- Volunteers
Mike added: “Birmingham is a generous, friendly city and plenty of volunteers have already stepped forward to help, so I know we can create a Christmas Day to remember.
“You can donate money, buy a gift or volunteer to help out. And believe me; this will make a massive difference to a bunch of young people who would otherwise have a lonely and difficult Christmas Day.”
If you can help, go to: https://www.brumxmasdinner.com
