Operation Christmas Hamper - Port Vale Game | Bristol Rovers GasChat Forum

Tilly's Thighs
Rickie Lambert

Posts: 3,734

Operation Christmas Hamper - Port Vale Game Nov 17, 2022 14:47:53 GMT Russgas, stuart1974, and 5 more like this

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Post by Tilly's Thighs on Nov 17, 2022 14:47:53 GMT

I've been involved with this in previous years, Charlotte does this in her own time, has previously used her home as the headquarters for making up hampers. Due to Charlotte's amazing efforts, the project has expanded, and Rovers are helping out - see below. Charlotte is an amazing person, always looking to help the disadvantaged, both in her work and personal life - please take something along for the hampers, if you can. I believe that some of the Rovers youngsters will be helping to make up hampers on the day. UTG - Yo Ho Ho

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ITEMS CAN BE DONATED AT THE PORT VALE GAME

As the cost-of-living crisis bites, Bristol Rovers and Gloucestershire County Cricket Club are proud to team up to help a kind-hearted Keynsham mum make Christmas dreams come true for those who most need it.

Operation Christmas Hamper started in September 2020 in the midst of Lockdown, when Charlotte Churchill - service manager for Always Precious, a company that works with families in crisis – decided that no child or parent should go without a gift on Christmas Day.

As well as each member of the families that Always Precious work with receiving a bespoke Christmas present bought anonymously by a member of the community, wrapped up and signed with love from a Christmas friend, Charlotte also makes luxury hampers – and that’s where Rovers and Gloucestershire come in.

Using The Memorial Stadium as a base on the day after we play Port Vale in League One (Saturday, December 10th) Charlotte and her team will be packing the hampers with all those extra goodies that make Christmas but that are generally expensive.

A list of suggested items can be found at the bottom of this story.

Rovers fan Charlotte said: “Having a big space at The Mem will make the job so much more effective and swifter, plus it’s my very happy place and has been since we started playing there!”

Gloucestershire Cricket Club will also act as a collection point for anyone who wishes to donate before Saturday 10th December. Donations will be accepted at the club’s reception at the Seat Unique Stadium, Nevil Rd, BS7 9EJ. (Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm & Friday 9am-3pm). Jess Jones, Community Programmes Officer, said: “At Gloucestershire Cricket Club, we are always looking at ways we can support our community both in Bristol and wider Gloucestershire. We are looking forward to working with Bristol Rovers, our nearest neighbours, to help support Charlotte and her team in this amazing initiative and help make a difference this Christmas.”

Charlotte, 49, has a Facebook group with 600 members in it. The group aims to make as many Christmas hampers as possible and package toiletry hampers and second-hand good quality toys and gifts, as some parents have no money to buy their children anything. The mum of three added: “I am overwhelmed and so grateful for the support from BRFC and Gloucestershire Cricket Club.”

Adam Tutton, CEO of Bristol Rovers Community Trust, said: “We are delighted to support Charlotte in this initiative. She is a wonderful woman, and her support to our wider community is outstanding.”

If you are interested in helping out or donating to this fabulous cause, contact media@bristolroverscommunity.org.uk, community@glosccc.co.uk or at:

Twitter: @jugglingmum2011

Facebook: Operation Christmas Hamper group

Suggested items for donation:

Hot chocolate

Marshmallows (for hot chocolate)

Small chocolate pieces or sprinkles for the top

Squirty cream

Tubes of sweets/chocolates

Tubs of Celebrations, Roses etc

Pickles, chutneys and jams

Nutella, honey

Cakes - mince pies or festive cakes

Pringles/Twiglets/Cheeselets

Tea bags

Coffee

Boxes of latte/caramel latte/cappuccino

Variety boxes of cereal

Boxes of chocolates

Selection boxes

Boxes of biscuits for cheese

Stuffing

Bottles of Ribena or similar

Sweets

Christmas crackers

A voucher for Greggs or similar (that only food can be bought in).

Last Edit: Nov 17, 2022 18:58:49 GMT by Tilly's Thighs

The Equaliser Fans' Favourite Justice. Equality. Opportunity. Posts: 1,270	Operation Christmas Hamper - Port Vale Game Nov 17, 2022 16:11:23 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by The Equaliser on Nov 17, 2022 16:11:23 GMT Fantastic 👏🏾
	Justice. Equality. Opportunity.

bidefordgas Matchday Staff Posts: 2,867	Operation Christmas Hamper - Port Vale Game Nov 17, 2022 16:34:51 GMT via mobile Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by bidefordgas on Nov 17, 2022 16:34:51 GMT It’s not clear on the club statement, but I am assuming we can bring gifts to the Port Vale game and collection points will be set up as the food bank donations we have had in recent times.

Tilly's Thighs
Rickie Lambert

Posts: 3,734

Operation Christmas Hamper - Port Vale Game Nov 17, 2022 18:27:43 GMT bidefordgas likes this

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Post by Tilly's Thighs on Nov 17, 2022 18:27:43 GMT

Nov 17, 2022 16:34:51 GMT bidefordgas said:

It’s not clear on the club statement, but I am assuming we can bring gifts to the Port Vale game and collection points will be set up as the food bank donations we have had in recent times.

Apologies - I've now added the Poster, which states drop offs at the Port Vale game (and amended thread title). :ashamed:

As you say, I am assuming collection points, as in previous years.

stillstanding
Youth Team

Posts: 28

Operation Christmas Hamper - Port Vale Game Nov 17, 2022 18:46:32 GMT

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Post by stillstanding on Nov 17, 2022 18:46:32 GMT

Not only was the statement not clear about where and when we can drop off contributions, it suggests the collection is happening on Sunday 11 'on the day after the Port Vale' game.

Don't know who is responsible for statements etc on the website but proof reading before they are posted and some idea of punctuation would be helpful and welcome.

bidefordgas
Matchday Staff

Posts: 2,867

Operation Christmas Hamper - Port Vale Game Nov 17, 2022 18:57:19 GMT via mobile

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Post by bidefordgas on Nov 17, 2022 18:57:19 GMT

Nov 17, 2022 18:27:43 GMT Tilly's Thighs said:

Nov 17, 2022 16:34:51 GMT bidefordgas said:

It’s not clear on the club statement, but I am assuming we can bring gifts to the Port Vale game and collection points will be set up as the food bank donations we have had in recent times.

Apologies - I've now added the Poster, which states drop offs at the Port Vale game (and amended thread title). :ashamed:

As you say, I am assuming collection points, as in previous years.

Well done Tilly for that.
Such a worthy cause and well worth keeping at the top of the forum.
I appreciate that due to the current economic climate it’s going to be a difficult time for a lot of gasheads, but I know as they have proven before with the food bank collections, gas supporters will rally around such a worthwhile cause.

Tilly's Thighs
Rickie Lambert

Posts: 3,734

Operation Christmas Hamper - Port Vale Game Nov 17, 2022 18:58:08 GMT bidefordgas likes this

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Post by Tilly's Thighs on Nov 17, 2022 18:58:08 GMT

Nov 17, 2022 18:46:32 GMT stillstanding said:

Not only was the statement not clear about where and when we can drop off contributions, it suggests the collection is happening on Sunday 11 'on the day after the Port Vale' game.

Don't know who is responsible for statements etc on the website but proof reading before they are posted and some idea of punctuation would be helpful and welcome.

I probably confused things - the poster was included at the top of the club statement, however, I didn't include it when I first posted the information on here. I've also added it to the text now. :ashamed:

I'm never going to get a job in PR am I?

Last Edit: Nov 17, 2022 19:00:33 GMT by Tilly's Thighs

Tilly's Thighs
Rickie Lambert

Posts: 3,734

Operation Christmas Hamper - Port Vale Game Nov 21, 2022 17:57:17 GMT The Equaliser likes this

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Post by Tilly's Thighs on Nov 21, 2022 17:57:17 GMT

Charlotte has now received over 200 referrals for Christmas hampers.

For those who wish to contribute, but won't be able to bring food to The Mem on 10th December, various businesses around Bristol/Bath area are kindly acting as drop off points:-

The New Inn - Keynsham
The Treatment Room 152 - Keynsham
Polar Bear windows - Willsbridge
Ollis Hair - Longwell Green
The Wooden Walls Micropub - Staple Hill
Opulence beauty retreat - Chipping Sodbury
Lily Garmston brows - Barrow Gurney
Cocoa hair design in Keynsham
Glow beauty in Bath
Gloucestershire cricket club

BRFC memorial ground on 10th December (1 day only)

Tilly's Thighs
Rickie Lambert

Posts: 3,734

Operation Christmas Hamper - Port Vale Game Dec 1, 2022 11:19:58 GMT stuart1974 and gonzales like this

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Post by Tilly's Thighs on Dec 1, 2022 11:19:58 GMT

Here's a bit more information about Operation Christmas Hamper, taken from the Facebook Group of the same name:-

"This group has been set up for you lovely people that have all offered to contribute to help families this Christmas.
The admin in this team all work for Always Precious which was set up nearly 10 years ago to provide a 24 hour, 7 days a week family support service in the Bristol, Bath and surrounding areas.

We tackle some of the most complex and difficult issues facing families today. These include domestic violence, abuse, mental health problems, learning difficulties, severe financial hardship, substance misuse and alcohol problems. These issues have a huge impact on the well being and development of children and on the ability of parents and carers to make a positive contribution. There are times when these problems can seem too overwhelming to manage and parents may struggle to provide a nurturing environment for their children. We work with the whole family to find solutions to problems, offer advice and support for them to become stronger, happier and healthier. A stable and loving family life is what gives children the security they need to be able to flourish and fulfill their potential.

Your practical help and kindness will make so much difference this Christmas so on behalf of all of us.

Thank you 😊"

Charlotte will be chatting to Geoff on "Having a Gas" this evening (around 6.30)

Last Edit: Dec 1, 2022 11:20:47 GMT by Tilly's Thighs

Tilly's Thighs
Rickie Lambert

Posts: 3,734

Operation Christmas Hamper - Port Vale Game Dec 9, 2022 17:58:51 GMT 84gas, Big Jock, and 2 more like this

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Post by Tilly's Thighs on Dec 9, 2022 17:58:51 GMT

Bumping this as a reminder for those who are going to the game tomorrow.

There will be a large Luton van by the ticket office, where donations can be dropped off, they will also have a bucket, in case anybody would like to put some shrapnel in. They will be sorting all the donations on Sunday morning, and any cash collected will be used to go and buy items which they are short of - they have also had Tesco e-vouchers donated, which will be used in the same way. Any surplus items will be passed on the food bank.

I didn't realise that Charlotte and her Mum used to provide lodgings for some of our young players, she mentioned Bobby Zamora, Jon French and Luke Basford, amongst others - a long history of being die-hard Gasheads. Charlotte sadly had a young son, who passed away - Ian Holloway gave the players who knew her, the day off training to attend the funeral, which obviously meant a lot to her family.

I hope that as many supporters as possible will support this initiative, and help to ensure that those less fortunate have something to make Christmas special for them.

Peace, Love and Goodwill to all Gasheads.

Last Edit: Dec 9, 2022 17:59:25 GMT by Tilly's Thighs

stevethepirate First Team Posts: 524	Operation Christmas Hamper - Port Vale Game Dec 10, 2022 14:22:14 GMT via mobile Tilly's Thighs likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by stevethepirate on Dec 10, 2022 14:22:14 GMT Done and delivered from sunny Telford.

Tilly's Thighs
Rickie Lambert

Posts: 3,734

Operation Christmas Hamper - Port Vale Game Dec 11, 2022 22:11:01 GMT yattongas, madridgas, and 5 more like this

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Post by Tilly's Thighs on Dec 11, 2022 22:11:01 GMT

Huge thanks to everybody who supported this, Charlotte said that the response from Gasheads was phenomenal, and was overwhelmed by the kindness shown.

They were able to fulfill all the referrals, as follows:-
235 food hampers reaching 348 adults and 517 children = 865 people will have a more enjoyable Christmas

Just a few of the hampers pictured below

Attachment Deleted

Operation Christmas Hamper - Port Vale Game

Post by Tilly's Thighs on Nov 17, 2022 14:47:53 GMT

Post by The Equaliser on Nov 17, 2022 16:11:23 GMT

Post by bidefordgas on Nov 17, 2022 16:34:51 GMT

Post by Tilly's Thighs on Nov 17, 2022 18:27:43 GMT

Post by stillstanding on Nov 17, 2022 18:46:32 GMT

Post by bidefordgas on Nov 17, 2022 18:57:19 GMT

Post by Tilly's Thighs on Nov 17, 2022 18:58:08 GMT

Post by Tilly's Thighs on Nov 21, 2022 17:57:17 GMT

Post by Tilly's Thighs on Dec 1, 2022 11:19:58 GMT

Post by Tilly's Thighs on Dec 9, 2022 17:58:51 GMT

Post by stevethepirate on Dec 10, 2022 14:22:14 GMT

Post by Tilly's Thighs on Dec 11, 2022 22:11:01 GMT