The Community Christmas Hamper Fund needs your help to provide a lifeline this Christmas for 400 struggling families.
The Community Christmas Hamper Fund started off in 2020, when a local Chimney Sweep, Tobias Kennedy Matthews, decided to help families in North Devon and Torridge struggling through the pandemic by fundraising to provide a lifeline at Christmas. The family would receive everything needed to make Christmas possible. The hampers included Christmas dinner complete with the trimmings, sweets, treats, crackers, stocking fillers and family games. In this first year of 2020 115 families received a Christmas hamper ensuring they had the Christmas they deserved.
Last year £7000 was raised, enough to provide a Christmas hamper for 250 families. Sadly Tobias had to turn away 400 applicants. This year, with the soaring cost of living, it is expected many more families will be in need of extra support to be able to make Christmas possible. ‘It is going to be more important than ever to try and be there for families in our communities here in North Devon and Torridge’ says Tobias.
This year Tobias has been awarded both the Mayor of Great Torrington’s good citizen award and The Voice radio’s Local Hero Fundraiser of the Year awards. ‘It’s made me realise how needed and appreciated this help is to so many’.
With a target to help 400 families this Christmas Tobias has been fundraising by cycling 400km with good friends Rob and Kane at the start of October. He is going sober for a month during busiest period of working as a Chimney Sweep from October 17th to November 16th. ‘I enjoy nothing more getting home from a stressful day to a lovely glass of wine!’ So far the Community Christmas Hamper Fund has raised £7000, with Christmas just around the corner, The Community Christmas Hamper Fund needs to raise an additional £3000 to be able to provide hampers for 400 families.
Donations have been coming in from individuals and local businesses such as Whitfield Tattoos running fundraising activity. In the past some supermarkets have been able to donate food items. Tarka Self Storage are providing a premises for free to store all of the goods and space to prepare the hampers.
If you are able help, please donate at www.gofundme.com/christmashamperfund22
If you own a local business and might be able to help us in any way, please get in touch. - Businesses that make sponsorship contributions will be publicly thanked at the beginning of the new year.
Contact Tobias on 07800544315
Email: tkmchimneysweep@hotmail.co.uk
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