Christmas volunteers: 'If you can help, you should'

Christmas is traditionally seen as the season of giving with gifts aplenty being received across the country.

But while many settle in for present opening on the big day, some forgo the traditional and spend the day volunteering instead.

As they prepare to spend their Christmas Day away from family, friends, the dinner table and the TV, we spoke to them about why they choose to give the precious gift of time.

Theresa John's church group Victory Outreach Manchester hosts a free lunch for 100 local residents, who would otherwise be alone on Christmas Day.

She told BBC Radio Manchester there was "a real need" for the event, which has grown since its launch in 2022.

"We have got a heart to see people who have been on their own – the dark side of Christmas," she said.

"I think there are a lot of mental health challenges at this time of year."

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She said she was recently approached by a regular guest, who had been struggling after the deaths of his parents and sister and told her that Christmas had become "a really, really hard time".

"At the dinner, it was the first time he'd played games and laughed at Christmas for many, many years," she said.

She said it was "really nice hearing all the Christmas songs and seeing all the lights and the bells and whistles, but the reality is, behind a lot of people's closed doors, there's a lot of loneliness and isolation".

"Coming from a Christian perspective, that idea of extending our table to invite other people is really important to me at this time of year," she said.

"If we're not providing a need for our community, then what are we really doing?"

Lifeboat volunteer Connor Wray is based at New Brighton beach on Merseyside and said being on call on Christmas Day was "like being on call any other day".

He decided to become an RNLI volunteer during the Covid pandemic, after noticing a build-up of frustration in society.

"I saw a lot of anger and wanted to make a better difference in the world," he said.

"It would be hypocritical not to."

He runs a local theatre company and also works as a photographer – jobs which free up some of his daytime hours.

"Thankfully my Christmas dinners haven't been interrupted so far," he said.

"But if you're around and you can help, you should help.

"It involves small sacrifices but generally it works quite well."

The RNLI is called out about 100 times nationwide during the festive period, with crews ready to drop time with family and friends to save those in danger.

While the biggest demand occurs during the summer, Connor said there were still many incidents in the winter holidays as "people are keen to get out of the home and go for walks".

He advised visitors to check tide times before setting out, adding that the Mersey was "such a busy river with so many different activities like working commercial vessels or people at leisure".

Sue Fenn has been volunteering at an RSPCA rehoming centre in Preston for more than five years.

The Christmas period is a busy one for the charity, but on the day, she said the animals there get stockings "full of treats and gifts which will have been donated by supporters over the festive period".

The 71-year-old said she "always wanted to volunteer once I retired".

"I love being active and anyone that knows me knew it would involve cats and dogs."

She said she had "adopted five rescue dogs, my latest is Skylar".

She said Christmas Day at the centre was "magical".

"Seeing the dogs' faces when they get the toys and treats out of their Christmas stocking just makes my day, not to mention the cuddles."

Robin Davies, a 69-year-old father and grandfather from Whalley in Lancashire, is preparing to volunteer at the Blackburn branch of Samaritans on Christmas Day for the first time.

He said he decided to give up his day after he learned about the huge demand for the service over the festive period.

"It can be very sad, lonely time for people," he said.

"Christmas is supposed to be about friends and family, so it can be particularly hard for those who have lost someone."

Mr Davies said he does not feel like he will miss out on time with his family on the big day, because "Christmas isn't just a day, it's a season".

"I'm lucky, I've got a big family and I've had lots of family Christmases," he said.

"My children and grandchildren and scattered all over now so we spread Christmas around the season and try to work around each other's commitments so we can see each other.

"This year we're working around me doing Samaritans on Christmas Day."

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