Cambridge & Counties Bank has donated a Santa’s sleigh worth of gifts and useful items for older people in Leicestershire and Rutland and thrown a Christmas party for pensioners in its board room.
Members of Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland’s Orchid Group were welcomed to the Bank’s HQ on New Walk by staff volunteers who had organised the four course Christmas lunch with a quiz, games, songs and a visit from Santa Claus.
Nine members of the Orchid Group, which is based at Lansdowne House in Leicester, tucked into soup or prawn cocktails, roast turkey or vegetable curry, followed by Christmas puddings and the mince pies.
Santa and his elf dropped by with a sack load of gifts. Each of the guests left with a full bag of presents to open on Christmas Day.
The party, one of Leicestershire Cares’ season of Festive Challenges by local businesses, followed the donation of more than 120 items to Cares’ Collect for Christmas campaign on behalf of Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland.
Tessa Trace from Age UK picked up the sacks of gifts which were donated by individual staff members at Cambridge & Counties. The gifts include treats and everyday essentials, and will be used at Age UK Leicestershire & Rutland’s day centres and distributed to the older people it supports across the two counties. The presents include slippers and blankets, puzzles, radios and sets of gloves and hats.
Staff across the Bank donated gifts and 23 of them volunteered to throw the party. They were led by Kellie Lee and Matthew Desmond. Kellie said:
“That so many people were so generous with donations and their time has been really heart-warming.”
Mike Kirsopp, Cambridge & Counties chief executive officer, said:
“Our staff are very generous and quick to show that they really do care for others at Christmas.”
Tessa said:
“We are delighted by the generosity of the Cambridge & Counties staff. They have given so many gifts which will make such a difference to the people we help at Christmas and beyond.”
Matthew said:
“I haven’t worked anywhere like this, where so many people get involved in making such a positive impact for others.”