Plymouth people coming together to fight COVID-19 restrictions to bring Christmas to those in need

A group of local people has set out to raise £2,500 to bring Christmas to people in need in Plymouth. The idea was the brainchild of local businessman Paul Shannon who owns and runs Be Unique, a personal training gym in Cattedown. “When I heard that many people who access the Plymouth soup run and Shekinah wouldn’t get a sit down Christmas meal this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, I felt we as a community can do better” said Paul.

Paul decided to do something about it and created a post on his social media asking for volunteers to help organise a Christmas celebration for these people who otherwise might miss out this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. “Straight away people started replying saying how much they wanted to help so I knew we could do this” says Paul. Since that post there has been a steady stream of volunteers signing up to help on the day as well spreading word and making the much needed donations to help the day happen.

The aim is to raise enough money to pay for a sit down Christmas meal outside as well as gifts for all those in attendance. They are expecting between 60 and 70 people to attend the event to be held on Sunday 12th December on Bath Street outside the Shekinah mission.

“It’s been a tough 18 months for a lot of people but everyone deserves a Christmas meal and a bit of Christmas cheer. It’s a small gesture from those of us who are more fortunate but if we can show that there are people who care and can make this day a positive one for those who come then it will have been a success.”

So far the crowdfunder that has been set up has received donations of over £1000 from individuals and businesses. “We’ve been blown away with the support over just a few short days and it shows how the people of Plymouth want to help each other”. The group have already secured a marquee, outside heaters, and some of the food needed for the day, however there is still much to do and organise. “The more money we can raise the more we can give back to those in need. We hope to buy gifts including sleeping bags and rucksacks and other winter essentials as well as typical Christmas stockings with all the usual treats” Anything that is left over will go to support the ongoing work the Soup Run do all year around as well as the Shekinah mission.

If you’d like to support this event you can donate at the JustGiving site:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/paul-shannon-xmasdinner?utm_term=kpRnkYWg3

or if you’d like to volunteer on the day or have some supplies you can donate to the cause you can get in touch with Paul Shannon on 07814767370 or paul@beunique.fitness to discuss.