Real-life Christmas angels will spread their wings this year to help lonely, homeless and impoverished people in Angus and the Mearns.
Community Christmas Day meals will take place in Arbroath, Montrose and Stonehaven to serve up turkey will all the trimmings for the less fortunate.
This will be the fourth year running that mum-of-two Kerry Swankie has organised Christmas dinner at the Cafe Project in Arbroath.
She said: “I’ve done this for the past three years and I can’t see me stopping now – I’d feel terrible.
“We have again planned for 50 people and hope to have the usual extras such as gifts and shopping vouchers.”
The meal is aimed at people who may not be able to afford Christmas dinner or are perhaps on their own and gives them the chance to spend some time with others and have a chat at what can be a very lonely time for some.
Kerry said: “My 11-year-old said to me: ‘Mum, is it strange that I am more looking forward to the Café Project Christmas dinner than actual Christmas?’
“The community always get right behind us and once again my little Christmas cracker Kelly Bennett and her family will be there to support on the day as they have every year as well as my family.
“I’m always amazed at the generosity of the community, not just from Arbroath but the surrounding towns.”
Any donations can be delivered to 3 Elliot Place, Arbroath, or call 07713 929761.
Meanwhile, Katie Baxter has organised a festive meal for the second year running in the YMCA in Montrose from noon until 2pm.
Katie Baxter has thanked local businesses and the community for gifting food and parcels which will be handed out.
The meal will benefit from a partnership with gamekeepers in Angus and Grampian which is working with three family support charities to provide Christmas dinner with a difference for 87 households.
The ‘Game for Giving’ partnership is donating lean venison and fresh pheasant from the regions’ hills and woods to support vulnerable families.
Vegetables, crackers and sweets have been added to the parcels, ready for delivery to charities in Banchory, Brechin and Montrose, assisted by award winning butchers and restaurants.
The innovation is a collaboration between Angus Glens and Grampian Moorland groups, charities ‘Home-Start Deeside’ and ‘Just Play’ as well as ‘Christmas Day Community Meal in Montrose’.
The food parcels will also be distributed at the Montrose community meal on Christmas Day and Katie said the moorland group’s generosity was “really appreciated”.
She said: “In fact we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone in the local area.
“Last year, we had people from all walks of life at the meal, from elderly people who might have been alone or had family overseas, to homeless people grateful for some good food and company.”
Laura Craddock has also organised a community lunch at the St James Church Hall in Stonehaven for people who have nobody to spend Christmas with.
To nominate someone to attend phone 07510313800.
