FESTIVE cheer is set to be spread across Bromsgrove’s communities as a host of organisations and firms join forces to make it a Christmas to remember.

Determined not to let Covid-19 put a dampener on Christmas, Bromsgrove District Council and the Children and Young People's Group are launching the ‘Great Big Community Christmas Project’.

Ten days of festivities kick off with Christmas hampers being delivered to selected homes on December 14.

These will be packed with everyday dried and tinned goods, along with Christmas goodies and vouchers for fresh food plus gifts for children.

The following week, Christmas activity hampers will be distributed to keep youngsters occupied.

And, on December 19, there will be a ‘virtual Christmas meal’ for those who usually attend a community event or meet up with friends.

This will see a takeaway Christmas lunch being delivered and then enjoyed virtually via the Internet where possible.

Cllr Karen May, Leader of Bromsgrove District Council, said: “After this year with managing the Covid-19 pandemic, this community project is such a lovely way to end the year, by everyone coming together to support each other and ensure this Christmas will be one to remember for all those it touches.”

Residents can also play their part to help make Christmas special for those who have been highlighted within the community to benefit from this project, by making donations via its GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/community-christmas-bromsgrove

If you can spare some time to help spread the festive cheer among communities, then contact the group care of communitysafety@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk

The Children and Young People’s group consists of the Bromsgrove Youth and Community Hub, Safer Bromsgrove, The Basement Project, YMCA Worcestershire, West Mercia Police, The Starting Well Partnership, Bromsgrove District Council, NewStarts, Bromsgrove Baptist Church, and Churches Together in Bromsgrove.

The project has already been supported by donations from ASDA, Morrisons, Tesco Express, The Butchers Block, Impressions Communications, Bromsgrove District Council, West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner, Bromsgrove Methodist Church, Blackwell Adventure, Churches Together in Bromsgrove, Fathers Barn, and Savage Explorer Scout Unit.