Buxton’s Christmas for the community returns for 11th year - but it needs your help
Eleven years ago there was a vision to ensure the people of Buxton did not spend Christmas alone and over the years that project has grown.
Ruth Eyre-Barnes came up with the scheme back in 2015 which is now known as For The Community. Not only providing a sociable place to eat, the scheme also provides food, hampers and gifts for families who are struggling financially.
She said: “Christmas is supposed to be a time when people come together, but it can actually be one of the loneliest and most difficult days of the year.
“So we decided to do something about it.
“We opened a little community café on Christmas Day.
“Just somewhere people could come, have a Christmas dinner, sit with other people, and not spend Christmas Day alone.
“That was how it started.
“The simple idea that nobody should have to be alone if they don't want to be.
“And then somehow it grew.”
Eleven years later around 5,000 people have been supported in one way or another.
Ruth said: “We provide completely free Christmas hampers for local families.
“Not a bag with a couple of tins in it.
“A proper Christmas dinner that a family can sit down and enjoy together.
“We still open our doors on Christmas Day too, providing a completely free Christmas dinner and company for people who might otherwise be alone, struggling, or simply need somewhere welcoming to spend part of their Christmas.
“Because sometimes the most important thing we can give somebody isn't food.
“It's a seat at a table.”
And for the last two years, the Christmas project has grown again.
Now the group runs a Christmas pop-up shop throughout December where absolutely anybody can come in and find affordable gifts, clothes and other bits for Christmas.
The money raised through that shop then goes straight back into helping provide the hampers, Christmas dinners and everything else the group does.
Because this year things are still a concern for the founder.
Ruth said: “For the first time in a long time, I'm genuinely worried that we might not be able to do everything we've always done.
“Our funding has become lower and lower each year.
“At the same time, the cost of providing everything has gone up.
“The space we've used for our Christmas pop-up shop for the last two years is also looking unlikely to be available this year.
“But without a space, we can't run the pop-up shop.
“And without the money raised through that shop, we lose a huge part of the funding that helps make the rest of Christmas possible.
“We're now having to seriously look at what we can afford to do this year.”
Ruth said after 11 years of saying ‘yes, we'll find a way’ she doesn’t want this to be the year where they have to start saying no.
“I don't want to tell families that we can't provide a Christmas hamper.
“I don't want somebody who thought they had somewhere to go on Christmas Day to suddenly have nowhere.
“And I don't want something that started with such a simple idea 11 years ago to disappear because we simply couldn't raise enough money.”
So she has set up an online donation page with the hopes of reaching £1,300 to help make sure Christmas isn’t cancelled this year.
She explained £20, £10 or even £5 all adds up and could help buy stuffing, gravy, vegetables or another part of a Christmas hamper, it could contribute towards a Christmas dinner for somebody who would otherwise be alone.
“It could help us keep this going for another year,” said Ruth.
Ruth said “If you own a building, shop, community space or empty premises — or know somebody who does — please get in touch.
“We're also looking for donations of new or good-quality gifts and items that we can sell cheaply through the shop, as well as dry food for our Christmas hampers such as stuffing, gravy and all those little Christmas dinner bits that don't seem like much individually but soon add up when you're making hundreds of hampers.
“And if you're a local business that could sponsor us, make a donation, donate goods, offer a space or support us in another way, we'd absolutely love to hear from you.”
Ruth said: “I know times are difficult for everybody.
“I know people don't have endless money to give.
“And I would never want anyone to feel guilty if they can't donate.
“Sharing this fundraiser helps too.
“Because the person who sees your share might be the person who has a space.
“They might own a business that wants to sponsor us.
“They might have something they can donate.
“Or they might simply put £5 into the fundraiser.
“And all those little things together are how this has worked for eleven years.
“Community helping community.
“That's what it was about when we opened that little café for a few people all those years ago.
“And that's still what it's about today.”
She added: “Five thousand people who have received food, company, gifts, support or simply the reminder that their community cares about them.
“I am incredibly proud of what we've managed to build.
“But more than anything, I'm proud that our community has made it possible.
“So this year I'm asking you to help us do it again.
“I really don't want year 11 to be our last year.
“I'd quite like there to be a year 12. And a year 13. And a year 20.
“As long as there are people who need somewhere to go, a Christmas dinner on their table, or simply somebody to remind them that they're not on their own, I'd like us to be here.”
If you have a space to use as a pop up shop or would like to sponsor the event email
[email protected] and to donate visit https://gofund.me/4e85b3f07