Charity gets into Christmas spirit

Ripon Community Link, incorporating Ripon Walled Garden, is now selling Christmas Trees, cards, wreaths, table centres, hampers. Christmas cakes, puddings and other festive fayre, from Friday November 27.

Christmas trees, available from the Walled Garden, located on the city’s Palace Road, will be on sale daily until Wednesday, December 23. Ordered directly from the venue they can either be collected or, for a small donation, delivered.

The Christmas cards will feature pictures of its much-loved Walled Garden, as well as a selection of pictures, hand drawn by a charity member.

Victoria Ashley, Ripon Community Link chief executive, said: “Like many other Charities, our income has been significantly impacted due to Covid-19.

“We have supported our members at home during the pandemic, and whilst we do hope to offer some site-based services pre-Christmas, we will ensure that even though we are operating differently we will still share all the Christmas cheer.

“Our much-loved tea room remains closed, but we are still offering all our normal Christmas Cakes, Puddings, Jams and Chutneys to take away. We are also offering beautiful hampers which can be posted or delivered locally.

“Unfortunately, many of our fundraising events have been cancelled. The run up to Christmas is an extremely important and busy period for us, and this year more than ever it is vital we can raise funds

“The sales of Christmas Trees, Christmas produce will all help to fund our ongoing work, supporting our members. We urge people to visit us and purchase one of our fabulous premium grade trees.

“I’d also like to thank the volunteers, including those from Rudding Park Hotel, who have already helped with the first batch of deliveries.”

Victoria added: “There are plenty of opportunities to support us in the next few weeks by buying your Christmas related items from us.

“All funds raised will help us continue supporting scores of disabled people from the Ripon area, both at the Ripon Walled Garden and St Wilfrid’s Bungalow.”

And when it comes to taking the decorations down before Twelfth Night, avoid the mess and the hassle and let the charity collect individual Christmas Trees and recycle them.

The cost for this is a minimum donation of £6 for those within a five-mile radius and £10 for those living between five and 15 miles away.

Collections can be booked by calling 01765 609229 or by visiting the online Christmas shop https://www.riponcommunitylink.org

Victoria added: “We normally organise lots of activities and events for our members, from themed coffee mornings to Christmas parties, but due to the pandemic, these will not take place this year.

“However, we are still finding lots of ways to help members celebrate. We thank you for your support to help us continue our vital work.”