It’s the busiest shopping day of the year this Saturday and you may already be dreading the thought of trudging round in the cold. But fear not, there’s a way to warm up, re-energise, pick up some unique gifts and even make a positive difference while you’re at it.
Lancaster Winter Warmer, which will run 11am-7pm on 3rd December at St Thomas’ Church, promises all this and more. What better way to warm your cockles than with some delicious freshly prepared Pakistani curries and GoBurritos, some moving music from the Millennium Choir and other local artists, and some authentic Middle Eastern coffee and desserts courtesy of our refugee community. There will be plenty of crafting and making activities to occupy the kids too, so it all adds up to a welcome break.
It’s free in; just make a charitable donation to the nominated charities for the event: Lancaster District Homeless Action Service and Filoxenia International, a charity providing safe, longer-term solutions for the most vulnerable living in Greek refugee camps.
Local resident and organiser, Charlotte Stuart, explains, “As winter beds in and the cold bites, it’s easy to forget the most vulnerable, yet there are so many ways a little giving can make a huge difference. We wanted to put together an one-day mini festival that would inform, inspire, entertain and enliven anyone who dropped in for a break while they are shopping in Lancaster.”
Charlotte is not working alone. She’s recruited the goodwill and generosity of colleagues, friends and family – all members of Lancaster & Morecambe City of Sanctuary, East meets West, Lancaster University and Students Union, Lancaster People’s Cafe and various other community organisations – who want to lend a helping hand and put on an event to warm hands, hearts and stomachs!
More details can be found on the Facebook page for ‘Lancaster Winter Warmer’.