It’s the fourth year of the Richmond Christmas Day Dinner. Our guests are care leavers; bright, young, resilient people who usually have no family to go to on Christmas Day and no better offer than to spend it with other care leavers and a group of well-meaning hosts and helpers. Every year, everything is donated, from time and trees, to mince pies and crackers, wrapping skills and presents. Our guests always tell us they are blown away by the care, warmth, effort and hospitality provided by the event. They go away buoyed by the light touch kindness and sensitivity of our volunteers; those there on the day, and those behind the scenes who've made it all happen, including you, over the previous 4 months.

This year, we are going to have to do things differently. As we are unable to host our usual 50 guests, we will be delivering the spirit of Christmas to them by wonderful volunteers - presents, Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. We know it won't be the same but it does not feel right to do nothing and we want them to know we are still holding them in our hearts and minds even if we can't bring them all together under one roof.

Your donation goes much further than enabling us to buy a star present and ingredients for dinner. It shows our guests that they are visible, valued and cared for by their community. With your help, we’ll create some Christmas memories to last a lifetime.

Here’s last year’s event: https://youtu.be/FweOvDiblMw and do check out www.christmasdayrichmond.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter in the countdown to Christmas.

Any surplus donations will be used to meet the needs of local care leavers throughout the year.

£5 will buy 5 present sacks to hold our wonderful gifts

£15 will provide a hamper of essential foods and toiletries for our young care leavers

£25 will buy a Netflix voucher so our deserving guests can enjoy 4 months of films and TV shows

£50 will put a hot Christmas meal on the table (delivered on Christmas day) for 5 guests

£100 would treat five young care leavers to a Just Eat voucher for a takeaway treat

£200 can buy one care leaver a star present! We'll keep this one under wraps for now so not to spoil the surprise!