Volunteers deliver Christmas cheer to the community

Her son Miki Marciniak said: “It has become the new norm for us.

“It’s worth it ten times over to do this at Christmas.”

Kim Horwood has been volunteering since the event started.

She said: “It’s good to help people at Christmas, specially when everybody’s busy.”

Her mother Wendy Horwood was busy preparing sprouts.

“You do not count them, you keep going til they’re done,” she said.

Volunteers had 3,000 carrots and sprouts to prepare.

Overall the army of helpers cook 22 turkeys, including six halal ones, 100 litres of gravy, 3,000 roast potatoes and 900 pigs in blankets.

It is the first year that Kenya Finey has volunteered.

She recently became homeless and had been staying in a night shelter.

“Lots of people have helped me, lots of charities and volunteers and it’s nice to give back this year. It feels good.”

New volunteer Olly Dexter said he was keen to help the community.

Elaine Luck, whose husband Ian died suddenly at Christmas, said she had wanted to help with the meal for some time.

“It’s perfect to do something like this and it’s good to meet people.”