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Dec 2020

Last Updated: 18/12/2020

WATCH: Charity raises spirits with 12 Days of Covid Christmas video

by Vicky Carr

| 19 Dec, 2020

Time Together, which supports people with additional needs, has continued its one-to-one support for clients throughout the pandemic, but its social activities have either moved online or been called off. Staff, volunteers and clients used technology to come together one final time before Christmas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR1s6NbOdlQXcMl33IvE9QKAg8Cfhh99zR6lRltpLRBRdqTIP3hnUF4A-EE&v=OZ_R91P7lMM&feature=youtu.be

A Harrogate charity is raising a smile with a humorous 2020 take on the 12 Days of Christmas.

Time Together, which supports people with additional needs, has continued its one-to-one support for clients throughout the pandemic.

But its social activities have either moved online or been called off - so staff, volunteers and clients decided to use technology to come together one final time before Christmas.

The lyrics - written by service manager Louise Terzza - make fun references to things which have marked everyone's years, from social distancing to the hazards of meeting online. Louise said:

"We wanted something to put out to everybody. My daughter is a film maker so she cut it together, I have friends who do amateur dramatics so they sang, and a lot of the staff and clients wanted to get involved. It has been a collaboration.

"People are just very disconnected from each other. We just want people to feel connected a little bit and feel part of it, even though they can't come into the building."

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While one-to-one support for clients has continued, the charity's fundraising came to a standstill in March and has barely restarted. Louise said:

"It has been wiped out. We haven't been able to do any of our events - we normally do quite a lot in our building, but also go to other events. It has been quite devastating.

"We have been able to apply for some funding and grants, and had some donations from supporters."

In an effort to bring in some final funds before the end of the year, the charity's Christmas raffle has been moved online and is proving popular. Prizes including a skincare hamper, vouchers for afternoon tea, goodies from Fodder and a Fitbit are on offer, with tickets being sold online until midnight on Saturday, December 19.

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WATCH: Charity raises spirits with 12 Days of Covid Christmas video

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