16th February 2026
Last Christmas, we partnered with Chelwood Foodbank Plus to give local families a festive helping hand.
Christmas is meant to be a time of warmth and joy - but for many families in our community, it can also be a time of worry. This festive period, our members, colleagues and branches came together to support local families through our partnership with Chelwood Foodbank Plus. With rising demand for foodbanks across the UK, we wanted to do something practical that would make a real difference in our own community.
Throughout December, our six branches collected food and gift donations. Thanks to the generosity of our members and colleagues, we gathered 770 food and gift items, all of which were sent to Chelwood Foodbank Plus to help local families during a challenging time of year - we were blown away by the generosity of our local community!
Over three volunteering days, 12 colleagues visited Chelwood Foodbank Plus’ site to sort donations and pack food and gift parcels.
Together, they contributed to the preparation of 450 Christmas hampers, each one carefully put together so families received a mix of essentials and treats.
There was a real sense of teamwork - and a shared understanding of why this support matters. One of our volunteers said: “Volunteering with Chelwood Foodbank Plus during the Christmas Appeal was a reminder of what great work they do in the community, and I found it touching to see how much they care about local people who may need extra support. I found it rewarding knowing that a few hours of our time could help make someone’s Christmas a bit brighter.”
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Our CEO, Darren Ditchburn, also took part by helping deliver some of the hampers to families in the local area. Meeting people face‑to‑face brought home the importance of the appeal and the impact it can have at a hard time of the year for many.
Chelwood Foodbank Plus shared messages from families who received the hampers. Many said the support helped ease some of the pressure around Christmas and made the festive period feel that bit more manageable.
These comments were a reminder of why initiatives like this are so important: “Your kindness has lifted my spirits so much.” Another said, “You have made mine and my children’s Christmas magical.”
Chelwood Foodbank Plus is a small, independent charity providing emergency food and essential items to local people. They also run a range of “Plus” projects that tackle other everyday challenges - things like helping with kitchen essentials, supporting people who don’t have basic digital access, and even delivering beds to families who need them.
They rely heavily on local donations and volunteers, so being able to support them during their busiest time of year is something we’re proud of.
A big thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered or helped in any way. Your support meant that hundreds of local families received some extra help and care this Christmas.