Care homes, hospital wards and community projects for the elderly, in both Penarth and Barry nominated individuals to receive gifts from the project; people who wouldn’t otherwise expect to be given anything for Christmas. Gemma Wallace, Activities Coordinator at Bellavista Nursing Home in Barry said, "Not all of our residents are fortunate to have family living locally so for them to receive an extra gift from the community made the day a little bit more special for them. Thank you to those who donated so generously and help spread some festive cheer".

I had help in collating, wrapping and sorting the gifts from some wonderful ladies who were so generous with their time. Thank you to Jayne and Clare Walker, Leynie Pearn and my darling mother Ro, without whom I wouldn’t have been able to stay sane throughout this project.

Thanks also to the funeral directors who kindly acted as collection points for the public to drop off their donations; Parkman Funeral Directors (Dinas Powis), A.G Adams Funeral Care (Barry), W. A. Brown & Son Funeral Care (Llantwit Major) and Penarth Funeral Directors.  

I am pictured below with about half of the gifts we received – Jayne Walker (on the left) adopted the project as her workplace’s Christmas charity so a huge thank you goes to Jayne for her efforts and to her colleagues at Countrywide Conveyancing Service for their generosity. My Mum, Ro, was my very own Rudolf - helping me deliver the sacks of gifts throughout the Vale. Guests at the Trinity Church Christmas Day Luncheon all received gifts as they sang carols after a traditional Christmas dinner.