VARB’s Festive Feast 2019

VARB’s Festive Feast 2019

Are you facing the prospect of spending Christmas Day alone? Or, would like the opportunity to help those otherwise on their own this Christmas? If you fall into either category, the Redhill-based charity, Voluntary Action Reigate & Banstead (VARB) would like to hear from you, as the charity hosts its annual community Christmas Day lunch, Festive Feast, for those living in the Reigate and Banstead area, and who would like to celebrate Christmas with other people and will feature Father Christmas himself.

VARB supports community, faith and voluntary groups across the borough of Reigate and Banstead by promoting volunteer opportunities and by placing individual volunteers and corporate volunteers with local voluntary organisations looking for new recruits. This Christmas, those looking to give the gift of giving are invited to contact VARB to help its Christmas Day lunch.

The 2019 Festive Feast is once again being organised by VARB’s Lisa Irwin who has run VARB’s feast for the past three years with the support of the Reigate and Banstead community. Last year was a huge success for the community event with 45 volunteers helping with preparations on Christmas Eve and welcoming more than 100 guests and volunteers to celebrate on Christmas Day together.

If you would like to volunteer for the event either to help with meal preparations on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24, or on Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25, for the festive feast itself from 12.00pm to 4.00pm. Christmas Eve volunteering roles include organising tables and seating layouts, peeling and chopping vegetables, light cleaning, hanging decorations, and present wrapping.

Christmas Day volunteer opportunities include car drivers and escorts to assist guests with mobility difficulties, cleaners, food and drink servers, drivers, security, and table hosts.

Do you think you can help? If you are unsure, one of last year’s guests says, “To all the volunteers, thank you for offering your time spent with us to make our Christmas less lonely. This is far better than the television.”

Be VARB’s Guest

If you would like to join VARB’s band of merry volunteers this Christmas for a free traditional two course lunch, entertainment and lots of fun, contact Lisa Irwin, VARB volunteer centre manager, call: 01737 762115, or email: festivefeast@varb.org.uk for more details and a guest application form.  

Transport can be arranged for those who require it, special diets can also be catered for, if advised in advance. VARB’s Festive Feast is a strictly ticket only event and has limited places, if you or anyone you know would like to attend the event, book early to secure a space and to avoid disappointment.

Supporters So Far For 2019:

The Community Foundation for Surrey, Reigate & Banstead Community Fund, East Surrey Rural Transport, Gerrards, Greener Greens,  St Mark’s Church, Reigate, and Surrey County Council – Cllr Barbara Thomson.

Who Wants To Be A Volunteer?

For more information about the volunteering opportunities throughout Reigate and Banstead available with VARB in 2020, visit: www.varb.org.uk