We can all agree that it's been a challenging year, but in so so many ways, it has perhaps been one of the very best, highlighting as it has the magnificent generosity and community spirit of people in Herefordshire.
In every town and every village, groups of individuals got together to make life a little bit better, and they're certainly determined to make sure everyone has a cracking Christmas.
Among those going the extra mile for the festive season, as they have throughout the pandemic, is Sonya Cary and the team at C.A.R.E. Herefordshire in Pontrilas.
For the sixth year, Christmas lunch will be provided free to 12 of the most vulnerable and isolated in the community, with additional Christmas dinners delivered by volunteers to those unable to attend in person as a result of social distancing restrictions.
The Christmas buddy line (01981 240235) will also be open throughout the festive season. A raffle that raised more than £300 enabled the Lunch Club's Christmas meal to be provided free earlier this week.
Elsewhere, Christmas Elves have been in evidence as DMWS (Defence Medical Welfare Service) welfare officers Lee and Ash got busy delivering to vulnerable and isolated veterans and families of the armed forces.
Working in partnership with SSAFA and two local schools (St James and Lord Scudamore) they have delivered Christmas hampers, donated gift boxes and many hundreds of cards and letters.
The Herefordshire Freemasons have been answering calls for help from the Hereford Food Bank throughout the year.
Their most recent donation of £5,000 brings the total to £6,000 donated to the Hereford Food Bank this year.
Jacquie Alsop, who manages the Hereford Food Bank said: "The donations from the Freemasons this year have helped the Hereford Food Bank purchase much needed fresh food."
She said the crisis continues to take its toll and it is particularly hard for individuals and families where the main bread winner has lost their job.
With a volunteer force of just under 100, Jacquie and her band of volunteers delivered much needed supplies to just under 370 individuals in and around the city, in November alone.
The Christmas spirit was in evidence too in Ledbury where big-hearted Ledbury businessman Steve Large and his team have saved the scout’s Christmas tree collection, by offering to do the gruelling fundraiser themselves.
Coronavirus restrictions have made it impossible for the scouts to do their traditional collection, which raises much-needed funds for the group. Mr Large said " I decided to step in because it has been a difficult time for fundraising, and it would be a terrible shame if the Christmas tree collection didn’t happen.”
Mr Large’s team will go out on January 9. Anyone wishing to have their tree collected should email Christmas@ledburyscoutgroup.org.uk before January 6.
At Oakchurch Farm Shop, where Santa's annual visit is a major attraction, there was huge disappointment for hundreds of children as well as for Hereford Lions Club who arrange for Santa's trip. Disappointment turned to delight though when Oakchurch donated the £4,000 they would have collected in the run-up to Christmas.
Oakchurch Farm Shop owner Nick Price said “Hosting Santa each year together with Hereford Lions Club is an absolutely privilege, and we wanted to recognise the outstanding work the club does in the community.
Lion John Edmunds, who is the Santa team leader, said: “All our fundraising events during the year had to be abandoned, so we are grateful for the much welcomed gesture by Oakchurch.”
Earlier in the week, a delivery of toys was made to the Children's Ward at the County Hospital, where the ward's toys and facilities can't be used due to coronavirus, as Zoe Backhouse discovered when her son was admitted. "The children are given their own toys to use and then take home with them, all donated by individuals and local companies." To thank everyone for their support, Zoe arranged a collection of toys to be delivered to the hospital.
The generosity across the county is typified, too, by Carrot and Wine Stores in Wormelow, which will be delivering a free Christmas lunch to families whose Christmas has been affected by coronavirus.
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