SEASON OF GOODWILL . . . Lee Vann-Wakelin has launched a ‘free’ festive hamper appeal
Father and foster carer Lee Vann-Wakelin unveiled ‘Operation Sharing Christmas’ via social media page Evil is Winning on Monday with a four-minute video clip outlining his vision.
For the sandwich shop owner is encouraging shoppers to take advantage of in-store and online deals such as ‘buy one, get one free’ for those less fortunate.
Lee, 40, said: “I have noticed lots of charitable people arguing or being rude to each other regarding their chosen charities at Christmas time.
“I was trying to work out an idea which could benefit many people but be personal to each individual. Also, I was trying to come up with an idea which would not cost anyone a penny.”
His appeal encourages shoppers to compile their own charity hamper this Christmas – donating any ‘free’ items to the cause.
Lee believes participants only need to add a few offers to their trolleys each week –with the added incentive they keep one of the items – and they can then present the completed hamper to a worthy individual, family or charity on Christmas Eve.
Encouraging participation, he added: “This Christmas, if your food cupboards are going to be bursting with seasonal food and joy then you are indeed fortunate as there is a very high likelihood that some of your friends, family, neighbours or work colleagues will not be able to enjoy the season quite so well.
“This could be because of lack of food, poverty, loneliness, age, desperation and so on. If you are able to buy a few ‘buy one, get one free’ items into your trolley each week you can look forward to wrapping up a wee box at Christmas and wishing someone season’s greetings – it’s what we should have been doing for many years now.”
