As part of a national campaign through Mecca Bingo, Simon Sparrow, general manager at Mecca Andover has teamed up with Andover Neighbourcare to share some festive cheer by providing food hampers to those who may be struggling this winter season.
Wanting to spread the Christmas joy, each of the 76 Mecca Bingo clubs across the UK are supporting a local registered charity with a target to provide at least 50 hampers valued at £50 each which will be distributed to local families through the charity. With over 4,000 hampers nationally, families in need can eat, drink and be merry this Christmas thanks to Mecca.
Mecca Bingo Andover is raising money for Andover Neighbourcare, a local charity that has been helping the less-able and senior citizens for over 25 years in Andover and surrounding areas. Andover Neighbourcare assists those in genuine need in the local community by providing support to maintain their independence.
The club is encouraging its loyal customers and local businesses to come together as a community to donate food and drink that will remain fresh throughout the Christmas period (i.e. canned or packaged goods) and unopened toiletries, as well as monetary contributions for this amazing cause. Donations across all clubs will be used to create the Christmas hampers, whether this be a hamper filled with festive goods from the donations, or supermarket vouchers.
Speaking with Andover Radio 95.9fm, Simon said “We’re delighted to be launching Mecca’s ‘Everyone Deserves a Christmas’ campaign and to be bringing a little festive cheer to those most in need. It’s been a year unlike any other, so we’re thrilled to continue to give something back to our community and will be incredibly grateful for any donations our loyal customers and supportive locals are able to make. “
He went on to say, “Each branch was able to choose a local charity to support, we felt that Neighbourcare do a wonderful job in our town and fit in with what we had to offer. Pam, the manager has been really grateful and we feel they are the ideal partner to be teaming up with here in Andover. They have a team of volunteers who are going to be providing us help making up the hampers and their expertise on providing the boxes to those who need it will be very helpful.”
As a key part of the local community in Andover, throughout the first lockdown earlier this year the Mecca team volunteered to use their time to connect with customers and help those in need. Clubs across the country prepared and delivered over 50,000 meals to local communities, emergency workers, care homes and charities, with more activity happening this November lockdown. Now, with Christmas around the corner, Mecca is building on the incredible work it did throughout lockdown by reaching out to its community of players, and bringing everyone together again to support those who need it most.
Although the club is currently closed at the moment due to the national lockdown, they are reaching out to people to either donate non-perishable food items to their Andover Branch on Junction road, on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays between the hours of 10.30 and 4pm
They are also accepting cash donations which will go to Andover Neighbourcare to buy the items for the hampers. If you would like to donate to Mecca Andover’s chosen charity, please visit the JustGiving page.
Find out how to get involved by visiting Mecca Andover’s Facebook page.
