Member of the Senedd for Delyn, Hannah Blythyn is hoping to spread a little festive cheer with festive deliveries of ‘Christmas cheer boxes’ containing seasonal treats which is she is planning to deliver to around 200 local families.
In 2020 Ms Blythyn appealed for donations to make Christmas hampers and received donations for 50 ‘Christmas dinner in a box’ deliveries.
This year, thanks to a generous £2,000 donation from a local business, she will be able to offer ‘Christmas cheer boxes’ to 200 local families.
Ms Blythyn said: “This is the second year that I have organised an initiative to help hard-hit families and constituents who are facing challenges in the run up to Christmas. Last year my Christmas hamper appeal received enough support and donated items to provide ‘Christmas dinner in a box’ to 50 families.
“This year we are reaching 200 local families which is fantastic. The boxes will contain chocolates, selection boxes, mince pies, biscuits, Christmas pudding, cheese and crackers and more. The plan is for them to be distributed by volunteers this week and next,” she said.
She added: “The festive season can be a really stressful time for families with all the extra costs – and this is especially true this year after the £20 cut in Universal Credit, the increase in national insurance payments and rapidly rising energy and food prices.
“I hope the boxes will go a little way towards making things a little bit better for everyone who gets one,” said Ms Blythyn.
Ms Blythyn’s team contacted all local schools to find out which families to give the boxes to. “It has great to have had even more local support for this idea this year,” said Ms Blythyn. “I would like to thank Polyroof in Flint for its very generous donation of £2,000 towards the Christmas cheer boxes and Smurfitt Kappa in Mold for the boxes themselves.
“It has also been fantastic that local organisations like Parkfields community centre in Mold and local schools have stepped in to act as hubs for us to deliver from. This is a massive help as we could not fit all 200 boxes in my office!
“It is great to see local organisations and businesses giving back to the community,” she added.
Nick Roberts, managing director of Polyroof which is based in Flint, said: “It’s been a very difficult year for many people not just coping with the pandemic but made worse by rising supermarket costs. Everyone here at Roberts Manufacturing, Polyroof and ResTec are delighted to be helping Hannah with her Christmas Cheer boxes, giving a boost to those who really need it during the festive period.”