From behind the radio mic to serving free Christmas dinners to support local residents in Bury

Thursday, 25 December 2025 20:10

By David Murphy

Dozens of volunteers gave up their Christmas Day to serve hot meals and friendly company at Bury Parish Church Hall, as part of a long-running effort to support people in need over the festive period.

The Young Christian Workers group once again led the initiative, offering free Christmas dinners to individuals and families across Bury who may otherwise have gone without. This year's service included sit-down meals, deliveries, and takeaways on Wednesday 24 and today, Thursday 25 December.

The project, which has run for several years, is aimed at anyone who may be feeling isolated or struggling financially during the holidays. This includes people living alone, low income families, or anyone in need of a hot meal and a warm welcome.

Local volunteer Dean, part of Roch Valley Radio was among those who gave up his Christmas Day to help out. Volunteers worked from 1.00pm to 3.00pm on Christmas Day to prepare, serve and deliver meals from the Bury Parish Church Hall on The Rock. The team also handled advance orders for deliveries, with the deadline for requests set at 19 December.

There was no charge for the meal, and no eligibility criteria. The organisers simply asked people to call and request one for themselves or someone they knew.

Speaking to Roch Valley Radio, Dean Sampson said, “It’s about making sure no one is left out at Christmas. We’re here to give people a reason to smile, even if it’s just for an hour.”

The community-led project relies entirely on volunteers and donations, with all food and resources provided by local supporters.

In the weeks leading up to the event, the group promoted the service across local networks to make sure word reached as many people as possible. On Christmas Day itself, the church hall was full of music, conversation and festive cheer.

Volunteers said they served dozens of meals this year and hope to expand the service in 2026.

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