Sr Lynne fcJ, from FCJ Centre St Hugh’s, writes about their annual Hamper Day
We have been providing Christmas Hampers from FCJ Centre St Hugh’s since the pandemic in 2020; its a day that gives everyone involved a great sense of community, purpose and joy. We prepare for Hamper Day for weeks beforehand, collecting toys, luxury items and chocolates from the parish, local donors and Bellerive FCJ Catholic College, as well as doing the food shopping funded by the FCJ Centre St Hugh’s.
This year, thanks to FCJ Companion in Mission Sue McDonald we had a wonderful selection of toys donated by the pupils from the schools belonging to St Francis Catholic Multi Academy Trust in the diocese of Hallam. Lynne attended their wonderful Carol service at which the toys, collected for the FCJ Project, were presented.
On 19th December we welcomed twenty helpers to prepare, wrap and pack hampers for families in need in our local area. Charlie (FCJ Postulant) and FCJ Srs Lynne, Marguerite and Maria began setting up at 8am, and at 9am a group of Sixth Form students from Bellerive FCJ Catholic College arrived with Miss Wall, their Chaplain, to start wrapping the hamper boxes to make them festive! Things were well underway when the second group of helpers from the parish, local area and our Companions in Mission arrived at 10am, and we were quickly able to start filling the boxes with food for over the Christmas period, toys, treats and chocolates.
Lunch was a welcome break and an opportunity for the whole group to get together and meet each other, before we got back to the task at hand.
Now came the logistics! Sixty hampers to deliver to families locally and across the city (names put forward from the local schools) with five drivers and a group of willing navigators we put on Christmas hats and set out!
What a delight! We were greeted by squeals of delight from parents and children alike. The toys were a huge success, and parents were so grateful for the additional help at this financially challenging time of year. The last hampers were delivered late evening, the group of helpers dispersed, and the community put their feet up with joy and relief!
It was a great collaborative effort: five FCJs, five Companions in Mission, four pupils and a group of parishioners and local friends as helpers, and the involvement of St Francis CMAT, St Clare’s Primary school, St Hugh’s Primary school and Bellerive FCJ Catholic College. Thank you to everyone involved!
