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Local company Norbrook really got into the spirit of Christmas this year, not only making 2000 plus hot meals for local elderly residents but also distributing thousands of food and toy hampers in the Newry area.
Over 1,700 food and toy hampers have been distributed in the Newry area this Christmas, and thousands of local people were provided with a free hot meal, all thanks to the efforts of team members at Norbrook.
The company’s WeCare @ Christmas campaign saw hundreds of employees at its Newry sites get involved in donating food and toys and assembling hampers for local families. Canteen staff also prepared over 2,100 individual hot meals for local people. Hampers that were made up were distributed by a wide range of Community and Voluntary groups and coordinated by the Confederation of Community Groups, County Down Rural Community Network, Community Advice and the Strategic Stakeholder Forum.
This is the third consecutive year that WeCare @ Christmas has been running. It was initially created by Norbrook during the COVID-19 pandemic but has been expanded by the company due to the cost-of-living crisis.
This year it has also included the provision of two Christmas dinner events at Norbrook’s facilities, with over 200 elderly Newry residents treated to a festive afternoon, hosted and catered for by Norbrook staff.
The campaign also saw Norbrook team members decorating Daisy Hill Hospital’s Paediatric Ward and Southern Area Hospice’s Memory Garden, as well as volunteering at the hospice’s Light Up a Life event.
Denise Collins HR, Director, Norbrook said: “In recognition of the current cost of living crisis, our We Care @ Christmas programme was expanded this year to support young and old in the wider community.
“Through the generosity of Norbrook and our employees, food and toys were donated to create hampers for families in need, while fundraising activities enabled us to prepare more hampers than ever before. Our amazing canteen team prepared and donated 2,100 hot dinners to the community in partnership with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and local charities, while our first Senior Citizens’ Christmas Lunches were held on site, bring festive cheer to over two hundred senior citizens.
“Our WeCare @ Christmas programme has grown from strength to strength each year and we are grateful for the support of the company and involvement of hundreds of employees whose generous donations and time show the true spirit of Christmas in our community.”
Speaking of the initiative Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Michael Savage said, “On behalf of the Council, I would like to express our thanks to Norbrook and to our Community Sector partners, the Confederation of Community Groups, County Down Rural Community Network, Community Advice Newry, Mourne and Down and the Strategic Stakeholder Forum for coordinating the Community response. Norbrook and its staff have very generously donated food, toys and their time in the weeks running up to the ‘WeCare@Christmas’ scheme. Through the scheme, Norbrook and its employees are making an important contribution in helping people during rising living costs while spreading some Christmas cheer to individuals and local families.”
Feedback from the scheme has been very positive. A recently bereaved husband was very touched to receive his dinners as he hadn’t the heart to cook for himself and didn’t want to be a burden on his children. He said, “It’s great to be part of a thoughtful community.”
