Bristol business have rallied behind social enterprise Community of Purpose as they raise money to provide food and fun for 1,000 local young people this winter. Donations have now reached more than £21,000, which will support 840 disadvantaged children over Christmas.
For local families struggling with rising costs, the festive period can be a time of stress as well as sparkle. This December, Break Free are providing a special day of celebrations for young people, with a Christmas lunch, care package and programme of activities.
The Break Free programme runs throughout the year and offers a safe place where local children can receive hot meals, visit local attractions and keep active during school holidays. This is an essential service for the thousands of families in Bristol affected by ‘holiday hunger’; 77% of children that attend Break Free are eligible for free school meals and 10% are deemed to be at risk.
Local businesses are throwing their weight behind the campaign. Elmtree Garden Contractors, who have supported the Break Free programme since 2018, have donated £6,000 towards the cause.
Managing Director Paul Lynch said: “Break Free provides an essential safety net in one of the most deprived areas of Bristol. Staff always go the extra mile to create special experiences for children and this is especially important over Christmas, when many parents have to work long hours to afford the basics.
“In a city where there are such extremes of poverty and wealth, you can’t measure the importance of the work that Community of Purpose do for local families. Amy and the team are brilliant at bringing people together to support this important cause.”
Arthur David is another local business that has seen the positive effects of Break Free. They invest into the holiday programme and donate fresh produce for the young people to enjoy.
Jon Evans, Director of People and Culture, said: “Many of our staff come from the areas where Break Free makes the most difference, so we can see the impact it has first hand. We’ve asked kids what they would be up to during the holidays otherwise, and many say gaming alone at home, spending time on social media or getting up to mischief!
“It’s great to see this groundswell of support for the Christmas campaign, and we’re delighted to have donated £6,000 towards such a vital cause. As someone who was born and brought up in the city, it’s about improving the social fabric of Bristol and opening doors to a different kind of life.”
Amy Kington, founder and CEO of Community of Purpose, said: “It’s just brilliant to see such widespread support for our campaign. Every child deserves to experience the warmth and magic of Christmas, no matter their background or circumstances.
Josh Kington, operations manager, said “The generous donations from Bristol’s business community mean that we can help children make lifetime memories and support local families struggling with the cost of living, heating bills and holiday hunger at a difficult time of year.”
A single payment of £25 will pay for a young person to travel in a Bakers Dolphin coach to an attraction or activity, receive porridge and fruit for breakfast and a two-course festive lunch, a care package and Christmas supplies.
Another business championing the work of Break Free is accountancy firm 55. financial, who have donated £2,000 towards the campaign.
Managing Director Martin Vincent said: “Amy and the team are doing great things for young people, but they’re also making it easy for local businesses to lead with purpose and join them on their journey to create opportunities in Bristol.
“I was so pleased to join the Board at Community of Purpose this year and would encourage businesses from across the city to get involved. Christmas is a time for giving and if we come together as a collective, we can tackle the deprivation on our doorsteps.”
The Bristol Post is asking for the help of big-hearted readers, as well as Bristol’s business community, to make sure as many children as possible experience the magic of the festive season.
Amy Kington said: “It’s amazing to have raised over £20,000 at this stage in the campaign but we still have some way to go to reach our £25,000 target. We’re calling on Bristol businesses to help us over the line. Your support can make this Christmas a really special one for local kids.”
To find out more about how you can support the Break Free programme and help raise £25,000 by Christmas, click HERE.