Charity aims to give gift of Christmas dinner to care leavers

Care leavers often spend Christmas – a time for family, friends and community spirit – alone.

One charity is on a mission to make sure that this year, that won’t be the case.

Volunteers from The Christmas Dinner Middlesbrough and Teesside will come together for the first time this Christmas to host 50 local young care leavers on Christmas Day – and they need your help.

Funds raised for the charity through the Middlesbrough Lottery will provide a delicious three-course meal, entertainment, presents, a food hamper for each care leaver to take home, and transport to and from the venue.

Founder of the national annual Christmas Dinner project and care leaver, Lemn Sissay MBE said: “Many young care leavers are sat in flats, B&Bs and hostels or sofa surfing.

“Christmas day is all too often a reminder of everything they never had.”

The Christmas Day dinner, which will benefit 18-25 year old care leavers, hopes to also mobilise the local community, bringing people together to share a special day.

Jill Ambrazaitis, a spokesperson from the charity said: “This event will benefit young care leavers from across Teesside.

“Having left familiar surroundings, this may well be their first Christmas away from Care. With your help we want to show them that they are valued and that their local community cares about their wellbeing.”

To donate to the Christmas Dinner Middlesbrough and Teesside through the Middlesbrough Lottery, visit: www.middlesbroughlottery.co.uk, choose your chosen cause and buy lottery tickets. Tickets cost £1, 50p of which will be donated to the charity of your choice.

If you would like to volunteer or help out the charity in a different way email [email protected]