On Thursday 5th December, independent SME funder, Bibby Financial Services (BFS) hosted a Christmas Lunch in partnership with Age UK Oxfordshire, providing food and entertainment for 90 of the county’s older people, at their offices in Adderbury near Banbury.
The festive event is inspired by Ron’s Christmas Lunch set up by BFS colleague Mike Day last year in honour of his late Father in Leeds.
Working in partnership with Age UK Oxfordshire to combat loneliness in the region, the event brought festive cheer to the lives of some of the county’s most isolated older people.
Two of the guests, Barry and Irene, reconnected during the lunch after working together at the Automotive Products spares depot in Banbury, 55 years ago.
The guests were served a traditional two course Christmas lunch in BFS’s in-house restaurant and entertained with Christmas songs performed by the choir from local school, Kings Sutton Primary Academy.
Edward Winterton, UK Chief Executive at BFS, said: “At BFS one of our key values is to do the right thing, so we were thrilled to give this group of older people the chance to come together and enjoy the festivities. It really was a heart-warming day and I’d like to thank everyone involved for their hard work and contribution. We are very happy to have raised almost £4,000 in support of Age UK Oxfordshire to continue their important work in the community.”
Speaking of the event, Ruth Swift at Age UK Oxfordshire, said: “What an amazing afternoon was had by all those who attended, everyone who came was made to feel welcome, was well and truly spoilt with Christmas magic galore. We are so very grateful to the team at BFS for organising this wonderfully uplifting event and giving so many local people the opportunity to get together and enjoy a Christmas lunch in good company.”
Organised by colleagues in BFS’s Construction Finance team, the event raised £3,975 for Age UK Oxfordshire, covering the cost of the lunch and providing a cash donation to the charity.