Volunteers deliver Christmas cheer to the community

Volunteers are prepping hundreds of sprouts, carrots and mince pies to bring Christmas cheer to people around Guildford.

It is part of a new festive tradition started by the Gaskin family seven years ago.

More than 500 Christmas dinners will be delivered to homes within a 10-mile radius of the town on Christmas Eve.

An army of helpers prepares the food and delivers it to people who might otherwise go without.

Companies around the county donate food for the festive feast.

Matt Gaskin explained: "We do it because there are so many people in need of a good meal on Christmas Day."

"We used to have a spare space at the table for an unknown guest or someone who has passed away. My daughter said 'Dad we've always got so much food left; don't you think we should fill that space.' So we started having people at home and then went to the village hall, and it got bigger and bigger."

He added: "It's all about community, making friendships and helping those in need."

They started deliveries during the Covid-19 pandemic, and Mr Gaskin hopes they will return to communal meals next year.

His wife Marta organises the logistics to ensure meals are delivered to people who request them. She includes cards from children from St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School where volunteers cook the meals.

She said: "We receive a lot of messages with thanks.

"I'm very grateful to the sponsors and the helpers because it's a lot - helping peel vegetables, delivering and cooking."

Her son Miki Marciniak said: "It has become the new norm for us.

"It's worth it ten times over to do this at Christmas."

Kim Horwood has been volunteering since the event started.

She said: "It's good to help people at Christmas, specially when everybody's busy."

Her mother Wendy Horwood was busy preparing sprouts.

"You do not count them, you keep going til they're done," she said.

Volunteers had 3,000 carrots and sprouts to prepare.

Overall the army of helpers cook 22 turkeys, including six halal ones, 100 litres of gravy, 3,000 roast potatoes and 900 pigs in blankets.

It is the first year that Kenya Finey has volunteered.

She recently became homeless and had been staying in a night shelter.

"Lots of people have helped me, lots of charities and volunteers and it's nice to give back this year. It feels good."

New volunteer Olly Dexter said he was keen to help the community.

Elaine Luck, whose husband Ian died suddenly at Christmas, said she had wanted to help with the meal for some time.

"It's perfect to do something like this and it's good to meet people."

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