What's the nicest thing you've experienced in the lead up to Christmas this year?
For me, it was being part of an effort to help a very vulnerable family.
They'd moved from a damp, rat-infested and very cramped unit to a house with a garden but they had no belongings beyond grimy mattresses. The 5 of them shared a very small collection of manky clothes, nothing to sit on, no bedding, no food.
Within 40mins of a call going out, my local community had donated a box of new and quality used clothes for each family member, 5 new sets of bedding, 2nd hand dining set and a sofa, and brand new sets of drawers (for the new clothes). Also a week's worth of food.
Then along came a veritable fairy godmother who took it upon herself to organise a Christmas tree, lights and decorations; gifts for each of them, a Christmas feast, even advent calendars for the children. She also put her hand up to support them indefinitely with regards to schooling (uniforms, lunches) and birthdays.
This family is now celebrating Christmas for the first time. Their past few years have been unimaginably difficult with a series of tragic events and ensuing poverty and mental illness, and now they are tucked up in a safe home, cosy with everything they need.
The family's favourite pastime for the last week has been curling up together around the Christmas tree, the children transfixed by the lights and decorations.
They are feeling the love and support of a community, and they know they are now safe.
For me, the high point has been meeting their fairy godmother; what a beautiful person. She wants no acknowledgement, she just gets what people need and busts her gut to provide it.
To all you generous and kind people out there, your thoughtfulness does not go unnoticed. You make a big difference in people's lives. Merry Christmas ❤️