Firm spreads festive cheer with elderly Christmas dinner

Halifax environmental company, Leo Group, served up a free meal and festive cheer for elderly people and their carers.

Volunteers from the firm cooked and dished up a four-course Christmas dinner - consisting of soup, turkey roast, Christmas pudding, tea, coffee and mints and biscuits - for 100 people from Calderdale and Queensbury. Attendees to the event held at Halifax Ukrainian Club on December 23, were also treated to festive music, a Christmas present each, bingo and a raffle with top prizes of £100.

Cassie Irving, Leo Group’s PR Manager, said: “We wanted to make Christmas as special as possible for elderly people who may otherwise have spent it alone. It was fantastic to be able to put on an event like this that could be enjoyed by so many people. Our members of staff who volunteered got just as much out the day as the people who attended.”

Leo Group is one of the UK’s leading specialists in animal by products and renewable energy.  The business plays a critical role in the food and agricultural industries collecting and processing material - which is converted into meals and oils for use in pet food, cosmetics, oleochemicals and renewable fuel.

The Christmas dinner event forms part of a wider community outreach programme which also includes supporting local charities, volunteering days, planned site visits and educational events.

Paul Barker, Queensbury Support Centre’s Manger, said: “What a perfect way to start Christmas. Many of the people who attended were spending much of the period alone. It was a brilliant party; the food was spot on and all the fabulous prizes really made for a special day.

“It’s really reaffirming human nature to know there’s someone out there willing to put the true meaning of Christmas back into the festive season.”

Nikki Ayrton, Fundraising Executive at Age UK Calderdale and Kirklees, added: “We felt completely honoured to be invited to the Leo Group Christmas party. Their generosity and kindness shone throughout the day, with a four-course dinner, raffle and bingo which everyone enjoyed.

“Some of our clients are not able to enjoy a Christmas Day with friends or family, so this event certainly provided them with an extra special Christmas treat, and we would like to say a huge thank you from Age UK Calderdale and Kirklees.”