BURTON Albion and its suppliers are helping a Branston church spread some Christmas cheer to homeless and vulnerable people.
All Saints Church has provided a Christmas Day meal for those in need for more than a decade with over 80 people dropping in for a turkey dinner with all the trimmings and Christmas pudding in 2015.
Burton Albion head chef Mike Piper has stepped in to make sure all the vital ingredients for the perfect Christmas meal are provided with the support of generous donations from Booker Wholesale and the staff at its Burton base, GW Price, Ian Barker Butchers and Goldpoint.
Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough dropped into the church to check out the preparations for the meal.
He said: “Burton Albion has always been at the heart of the community and doing things like this is part of that – it’s especially important at this time of the year.”
Church treasurer Doug Brown said: “This enables us to provide a meal on Christmas Day for individuals or families who can’t afford one; for those who are lonely and need to get out and be with people on Christmas Day and for the homeless. The difference it makes is quite substantial.
“All the food is given, so we don’t have to raise any funds so on behalf of all the people who benefit we wish to thank Burton Albion and the companies who have donated as it makes their Christmas Day.”
There will be a church service at All Saints at 10am and people are welcome to attend that as well as the meal – served at 12.30pm.
Doug says: “We prefer people to call the church office so we know the numbers but even if they turn up on the day they will be made welcome.”
Brian Davies, Area Manager for Booker Wholesale, said: “We have worked with Burton Albion for the last six years. Ben Robinson asked us last year if we would help this fantastic cause and we did and are again this year. It’s the staff in the branch who raise the money and the company then contributes as well.”
Rev Mick Ellor said: “Burton Albion is a great community club and the fact that they are supporting the lonely and homeless at Christmas is testament to that. We appreciate the help they give us.
“It will be packed here on December 25 and we get lots of helpers who give up their Christmas Day afternoon to come and support us. It’s a community event and it’s all the churches in Burton coming together, not just All Saints.”
Burton Albion Commercial Director Fleur Robinson said: “We are delighted to be able to support this massive community effort which does so much good for so many people on Christmas Day. I would also like to thank our suppliers for their generous support."