Park Holidays UK reverse Christmas to boost food banks

Park Holidays UK is urging its staff and customers to start their Christmas countdown early this year – and help put festive food on the tables of people in poverty.

The Bexhill-based company has published a “reverse advent calendar” which, instead of delivering a daily treat, suggests an item which will be welcomed by a local food bank.

By the end of the 30 days, those taking part will have gathered a generous basketful of items ranging from instant coffee, pasta and biscuits to tinned fruit and, of course, mince pies.

Reverse advent calendar fun

The donations can then be taken to the food bank in time for volunteers to distribute the food before Christmas to those who are most in need.

Park Holidays UK is making the calendar available to its 1000-plus employees, and as a download to the tens of thousands of annual visitors to its 31 holiday parks.

“This has been a challenging year for everyone, but especially so for those who are struggling to feed themselves and their families during these difficult times,” said group director Tony Clish.

“That’s why we decided to turn the concept of the advent calendar on its head, and to make it all about giving rather than receiving.

“Staff at our headquarters will be taking part, and we’ve already had some great reaction from customers who have come on board with the idea.

Helping local communities at Christmas

“Getting together thirty items of food would be fantastic, but any donations would make a world of difference to those who are currently struggling in local communities.

“Whether you gift an item hiding at the back of your cupboard, or add a product to your shopping basket at the local supermarket, no donation is too little,” added Mr Clish.

The calendar, featuring the park group’s cheeky mascots, also comes with details about The Trussell Trust which supports a nationwide network of 1,200 foodbanks.

Families taking part in the calendar countdown challenge can go online to the trust to find the location of their nearest foodbank to where the donations can be taken.

The Trussell Trust’s latest research suggests that there will be a 61% increase in food parcels needed across its foodbanks this winter, compared with last year.

More information and a link to the downloadable calendar is available on Park Holidays UK’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/parkholidaysuk

Or to learn more about the work of The Trussell Trust and to locate a local foodbank anywhere in the UK, visit www.trusselltrust.org