One can scarcely think of Christmas in Canterbury without thinking of the Lord Mayor of Canterbury’s Christmas Gift Fund. This Charity was set up in 1952 by members of the business community, who approached the then Mayor, suggesting that they might launch an appeal to give parcels to the elderly and needy at Christmas time. In that first year the appeal raised between £200 and £300.
The Charity has adapted to changing needs following the Covid years, but still - in our 71st year - we continue to support our local community. This year we shall distribute 450 grocery and children's vouchers to elderly, isolated, vulnerable and other needy individuals and families in the area.
Please continue to support us and be as generous as you can be confident that all monies raised will be put to very good use in our local community.
The small Christmas Gift Fund Committee (made up of only 12 volunteers, each with a specific role to play, plus the Lord Mayor) is really proud that it can work on such a personal basis, with the committed help of many local organisations. The efforts in administering the Charity are considerable, but it is clear that these gifts can make an enormous difference between a happy or a sad, miserable and despairing Christmas.
The Committee is ever-evolving and looks forward to adding many more years to its history, confident that the work we do is of benefit to our community, directly as a result of the efforts and generosity of so many local people.
This is a local charity run by local people for the benefit of local people - and we rely heavily on local people for support.