A PASSIONATE chef has joined together with local companies, friends and families to bring an unforgettable Christmas to a Worcester charity.
After contacting people for support, chef Hazel Davis received an overwhelming response and Worcester residents flocked to help the with the Christmas dinner for Headway, a charity that works to improve life after brain injury.
Welcoming people within Headway’s care from Kidderminster and Bromsgrove Day Activities Centres, a total of 78 dinners were served, with 200 plates washed and 25kg of turkey eaten.
Whilst enjoying their meal, the clients were treated to Christmas carol singing by 35 children from nearby St George’s Roman Catholic Primary School. This also gave the children a chance to learn about brain injury and how they can help people within their community.
Hazel said: “Enjoying a Christmas dinner is such an important tradition at this time of year, and sadly, there are so many people who go without. I wanted to use my culinary talents to help the day centre clients at Headway, they love food, I know food, so I figured, that’s my answer!”
Local gas and electricity employer, npower, donated £260 worth of supermarket vouchers to contribute towards the meal, enough to serve up a week’s worth of homemade Christmas dinners.
Tracy Mole from npower’s Worcester office said: “When we heard of Hazel’s Christmas meal plans, we were extremely happy to be able to support this local charity during the festive season. The team of volunteers from npower assisted with Headway’s Christmas festivities by preparing and serving meals as well as decorating the arts and crafts workshop. We’re looking forward to building on this new relationship with Headway, and supporting other local charities in the new year.”
Samantha Skilbeck, Day Opportunities Manager at Worcester’s Headway centre, said: “With delicious Christmas meals on offer, our clients were soon putting their names down! Due to a tight budget, we were unable to put more staffing hours into the Christmas week so we called upon the volunteering team at npower to help plate up, wash up and serve our clients. They’ve loved the fantastic home cooked food and the chance to share this experience with others living with brain injuries.”
A further £125 was raised through donations from individuals and a number of local companies donated crockery items, nibbles and vegetables.
Visit www.headwayworcestershire.org.uk
