Nobody left behind this Christmas in Haywards Heath community campaign

The community of Haywards Heath is ensuring nobody is left behind this Christmas as part of a council campaign.
Alastair McPherson (Haywards Heath Town Mayor) turns on the lights. The Orchards Christmas lights, Haywards Heath. Pic Steve Robards SR2011271Alastair McPherson (Haywards Heath Town Mayor) turns on the lights. The Orchards Christmas lights, Haywards Heath. Pic Steve Robards SR2011271
Alastair McPherson (Haywards Heath Town Mayor) turns on the lights. The Orchards Christmas lights, Haywards Heath. Pic Steve Robards SR2011271

The ‘Leaving No One Behind at Christmas’ campaign is organised by Alastair McPherson, town mayor, who has said he is ‘thrilled and delighted’ by the response of the community, and by the Christmas spirit being shared with vulnerable and elderly people.

The council has been ‘inundated’ with offers of support from businesses, including Barratt Wilson Homes and Batcheller Monkhouse Estate Agents, who have sponsored the appeal, allowing town council staff to put together Christmas goodie bags to be delivered to elderly residents facing the festive season alone.

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Children and staff from primary schools have been busy helping, with Northlands Wood Primary Academy making snowman themed Christmas cards to go into the bags and Harlands Primary School performing and recording a Christmas carol advent calendar.

Harlands Primary School teachers have recorded a musical advent calendar SUS-200812-141600001Harlands Primary School teachers have recorded a musical advent calendar SUS-200812-141600001
Harlands Primary School teachers have recorded a musical advent calendar SUS-200812-141600001

The advent calendar sees Helen Moffatt, a music teacher at the school and Emma McPhilemy, a saxophone tutor, play a Christmas carol or song, with lyrics on the screen to help people sing along.

These have already been virtually delivered to all the care homes in Haywards Heath to help get residents and staff into the festive mood!

Mr McPherson said: “Not only have we been inundated with the number of volunteers who have signed up to provide a Christmas phone call to our elderly residents facing Christmas alone, but I have been astounded by the offers of support for this campaign.

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“There have been so many people and community groups involved to deliver this appeal and I would like to thank Barratt Wilson Homes and Batcheler Monkhouse for their seasonal kindness, our wonderful children and teachers in our primary schools who have put in so much of their own time and work for this appeal and to the dedicated staff at Haywards Heath Town Council who always put in that extra mile on our community projects and events.

“A huge thank you also to AGE UK West Sussex, Caremark and the Haywards Heath Dementia Friendly Community, who have worked together with us to make sure this campaign is a success.

“The team spirit and partnerships throughout this project have been vital to the success of this appeal.

“It clearly demonstrates the wonderful level of kindness and support of the community we have in Haywards Heath.

“I hope we all draw strength from the wonderful community we are so lucky to have in our town and I wish you all a truly Merry Christmas.”