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21
Dec 2022
Dozens to enjoy free Christmas dinner thanks to Knaresborough volunteers
A former firefighter will serve Christmas dinner to as many as 100 locals from across the Harrogate district.
Bruce Reid has been working with a team of volunteers to coordinate the Knaresborough Christmas Day Dinner, ensuring nobody has to feel lonely.
From peeling sprouts to organising gifts for children, they are spending this week putting on the event, with Mr Reid set to be busy in the kitchen at the Masonic Lodge in Knaresborough for most of Christmas Day.
After years spent working shifts on Christmas Day, following his retirement he said he has no interest in sitting quietly at home while he could be helping others:
Mr Reid – who was made an MBE in 2015 for services to the Firefighters Charity and the community – first put on a Christmas Day meal at Harrogate Fire Station before he retired. With nobody in the force stepping up to host it, he decided to continue in the community from 2020.
Last year, he and the organising committee served Christmas lunch to around 60 people, and there are already more than 70 signed up for this year's service.
Read more:
- Retired Harrogate firefighter flies out to volunteer in Ukraine
- Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal: Making hearty meals from food waste
As well as being referred by social services, Harrogate Borough Council and community organisations like Resurrected Bites, people can contact the organisers directly.
Mr Reid said the meal is open to anyone who wants to join, as are the home deliveries of a hot Christmas dinner. He added:
So far, around 30 people have signed up to eat at the Masonic Lodge, and another 45 will receive their meals at home. Bruce expects there to be more than 80 in total by the time they stop taking requests on Friday - and he said he wouldn't be surprised if that number reached 100.
There are volunteers wrapping gifts to send out to children, prepping veg for the meal, serving to visitors, driving hot food around to people's homes, and clearing up at the end of the day.
To find out more about the meal, email the organising committee or call Bruce Reid on 07958 653084.
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