Developer provides St John the Divine with food hampers for families this Christmas

Published Wednesday, 22 December 2021

A local developer working on a major school development has donated £250 to help a local church provide Christmas food hampers to local families in need

Deeley Construction are currently leading on phase two of the Ernesford Grange School construction works and were keen to support some of the local community groups and projects in the neighbourhood to help in the run up to the festive season.

The Council's Community Resilience Team supported Deeley Construction by linking them into some of the local community organisations in the area, including St John the Divine.

Deeley Construction had supported the local church earlier in the year with a financial contribution towards their Easter hampers for children and families and were keen to offer some support again this Christmas after seeing their great efforts previously and have donated a further £250.

St John the Divine have been supporting hundreds of local families with their school holiday activities alongside many other activities and events they host for the community. This Christmas they are again giving out food hampers to those families in need, alongside holding a live Nativity with animals outside the church for everyone to enjoy. The church has provided dinners to 678 people this Christmas and given hampers to 70 as part of the event.

Reverend Pam Howell, St John the Divine Church, said: "We are very grateful to Deeley Construction for their very kind donation towards the cost of food hampers we will be providing to local families in need this Christmas. This will enable families to be able to celebrate Christmas dinner without taking on debts they cannot afford to repay.

"It also helps towards the cost of the Christmas Outdoor Nativity we are holding on 21 December, when families will act out the Nativity outside with a live camel, donkey, and sheep, and receive catered food to takeaway - we expect around 500 people to attend across the day in safe socially distanced time slots."

Edward Hudson, Deeley Construction's Business Development Manager, said:

"St John the Divine and the Council are clearly doing a great job not only supporting the community by providing some great festive entertainment but also raising interest in the environment, so we were only too happy to help them again.

"Our work with St John the Divine is just one element of the community engagement we have undertaken during the construction at a local project. Using a local contractor greatly benefits local communities - on the local project 17 per cent of the budget has been committed to social value in the local community."

Cllr John Mutton ward councillor in the Binley and Willenhall area added: "I'm really pleased to see how this kind donation can do so much to help the area enjoy a safe, fun Christmas and can help ease the pressure a little on people struggling over the festive season."

Councillor David Welsh, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, said: "The value of generous donations like this from Deeley Construction is enormous. St John the Divine provides a lot of support in the area and this donation just re-enforces the partnership working which benefits so many."

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