Battle Abbey hosts the Surviving Christmas Hamper Pack 2024
Calling All Volunteers
Calling all volunteers, new and old, we will be having a volunteers’ meeting on the 12th November 2024, 7.30 pm at the Forbidden Fruit on 22 Grand Parade in St Leonards on Sea, TN37 6DN. Please come along and find out how you can help us with our 2024 campaign.
If you have any enquiries please do not hesitate to contact us by emailing: hello.survivingchristmas@gmail.com.
Christmas Hamper
Donate via Bank Details
Santander 09-01-28 A/C no. 95875221 Surviving Christmas – please put name as reference for acknowledgement and tick for Gift Aid if eligible.
Surviving Christmas, HVA Jackson Hall, Portland Place, Hastings, TN34 1QN
A Review of Christmas 2024
The Christmas 2024 Hamper Pack Project was a resounding success despite initial challenges, such as finding a new venue and logistical issues. Thanks to the generosity of Battle Abbey School and volunteers, the team packed and distributed 851 hampers to families in Hastings and Rother. The project, supported by corporate and community volunteers, included toys tailored to children’s needs, funded by charity resources and public donations. Supermarket collections and contributions from schools, businesses, and individuals played a crucial role in meeting the unanticipated increase in demand. The week-long effort, filled with goodwill, highlighted efficient coordination and festive cheer, with organisations like Tesco and local firms stepping up to support.
The celebration extended to Santa’s Grotto at His Place Community Church, where children received presents, treats, and enjoyed a ‘lucky dip’ toy bag. A special visit by Rosie the Little Grey Pony delighted families. On Christmas and Boxing Day, volunteers hosted festive activities, hot meals, and essential services at His Place, creating a warm, joyful atmosphere for over 100 guests each day. This success reflects the dedication of volunteers, agencies, and supporters. The charity invites all interested individuals to join their AGM in spring 2025 to become part of this impactful effort.
You can view and download the full review here.
Surviving Christmas
WHO WE ARE
Surviving Christmas is run by a group of volunteer Trustees and supported by lead and regular volunteers who all live local to the area. Each person brings a different skill to the charity but we all have one thing in common, we are passionate about the work of Surviving Christmas in relieving hardship and distress to those most in need or vulnerable at this time of year.
WHAT WE DO
Throughout the year we organise fundraising events so that we can financially support our projects over the Christmas period. We welcome volunteer support for these and will advertise our events on Facebook and via the website.
We look forward to working with volunteers from previous years as well as new recruits. In previous years we have asked volunteers to sign up for a job role and date through a Volunteer tab on this website. Each of the Project days start at 9.30am and finish by 4.30pm – the afternoon shifts start at 1pm.,
“A big thank you from a family who received a hamper from one of the agencies – the children were so excited to receive gifts, chocolate and crackers.”
“Thank you to you all, you have made my Christmas. My children will love their gifts.’ A lady who collected her hamper”
“You are lovely people, angels from heaven to have brought me a food hamper at Christmas – thank you.’ A phone message from someone after receiving their hamper which was delivered.”
Our Objectives
The objectives of Surviving Christmas are to relieve in cases of need, hardship or distress persons who are resident, whether temporarily or not, in the County Borough of Hastings or the Rother District in the County of East Sussex during the Festive Season.