Bristol care worker helps feed hundreds of families in need this Christmas
Sara Taylor says running her Christmas Dinner Appeal has been "a joy"
A Bristol care worker who's helped feed hundreds of vulnerable families this Christmas says it's been "a joy".
Sara Taylor who works with Top Care launched her Christmas Dinner Appeal on Facebook last month, hoping to feed families who otherwise might not be able to afford the traditional turkey dinner.
When we spoke to her in November she said she was hoping to raise enough money and collect enough food to feed 100 families or 400 people.
Now, she's told us she actually gathered enough to feed 725 people.
"After we were on the radio we had members of the public getting in contact and donating items," she told us.
"We contacted a few supermarkets.
"A big shoutout to Morrisons in Yate they were absolutely fantastic, they backed us so well they really did.
"We had members of the public donating money, people giving us turkeys, there was one elder gentleman who donated six turkeys."
South Gloucestershire Council and the Trussell Trust foodbank in Yate also got involved, supplying names of people in need and offering volunteers to help deliver the food.
"Yesterday (23/12) nearly all the food went out and as you can imagine it was absolutely crazy but it went absolutely fantastically."
Despite the extra number of people helped, Sara says no family that asked for help was turned away.
Not stopping there, Sara wants to do the same again at Easter and then at Christmas next year.
She says the reaction from people getting the food has been amazing.
"Some people haven't realised that they were getting them (the food parcels) and as you can imagine they have just been overwhelmed with it, grateful.
"It's been a joy, especially when someone just gives you that smile and you know you've made them happy this year.
"So yeah it's been absolutely fantastic it really has."
If you want to get involved in the future or see more about Sara's work, just search "Christmas Dinner Appeal" on Facebook.