Member Article

Derbyshire firm donates Christmas goodies to Hope Centre

Mince pies, sweets, biscuits and chocolates are amongst a bumper donation of Christmas goodies winging their way to Derby families in need of some extra help this festive season, thanks to the generosity of staff at local training firm, Awbery.

Awbery’s Louise Green delivered the firm’s Christmas box to The Hope Centre in Derby city centre, on behalf of her colleagues, who have been putting food items into the ‘Hope Charity Christmas Box’ throughout November in what they have dubbed a ‘Reverse Advent Calendar’.

“My friend Julia works at the Hope Centre on Curzon Street that is known as one of the busiest support centres of its kind in Derby,” explains Awbery’s Louise Green. “The Centre provides an amazing service to people and their families living across the whole of Derby who are facing financial difficulties because of debt, unemployment, sickness or even domestic violence.

“Christmas can be a difficult time, so we wanted to do something to help by donating some Christmas food and goodies to help The Hope Centre with the important support they provide to families across Derby at this time of year.

“Everyone has been incredibly generous – our Christmas Box includes numerous essential food items, as well as additional Christmas treats. Donating to The Hope Centre in this way is an important and very relevant part of our 2016/17 programme of supporting local charities and causes.”

Paul Brookhouse, Director of Community Development of The Hope Centre, added: “So far this year we have given out an average of 82 food parcels each week. This is in fact a 25% increase on the number of food parcels given out each week in 2015, so the need of Derby people and families in crises is clear. Donations are vitally important, but sadly these are currently at their lowest for two years, so support from local businesses like Awbery is really critical to the help and support the Centre is able to provide, and we are so grateful for their generosity.”

Awbery has now started a second box for The Hope Centre, as Louise explains: “Once Christmas is over and life returns to normal, finances are likely to be stretched once more, so our team is now making donations for a second box. This will provide a range of staple items for them to add to their January 2017 food bank, which is such an important lifeline for so many Derby families.”

“This second collection for January is particularly important,” says Paul, “as often donations do dip at the start of a New Year, which is often a time when families are even more in need, so Awbery’s help will be an excellent and timely boost.”

Awbery has its head office in Repton, Derbyshire and delivers high-impact leadership and management development programmes, HR and coaching solutions to multi-national organisations across the UK. For more information: www.awberymanagement.co.uk, Tel: 01283 703828, and follow @AwberyTweet.

For more information about The Hope Centre, Tel 01332 341189, www.hopecentrederby.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Awbery .