Fundraising campaign brings a ‘PIZZA’ Christmas to children and families in need
Children’s charity Barnardo’s Christmas campaign will have a unique flavour this year thanks to partnership with a Warwickshire artisan pizza company.
Birtelli’s is working with Barnardo’s until the end of December and looking to raise £15,000 for the charity by supporting the Kidsmas campaign, which includes with a live event at Birmingham Town Hall.
During the next two months, Birtelli’s is also aiming to deliver some Christmas cheer and fun by delivering pizza meal kits to children and families that are supported by Barnardo’s, helping them spend time together and eating home-grown produce-based pizzas, including a special Christmas pizza.
It was launched at the charity’s Warwickshire Family Centre, where staff and volunteers were able to see first-hand just how much creating, cooking and eating pizza can bring people together.
Aoibheann Doherty, Community Fundraising Manager at Barnardo’s said: “Staff and volunteers were delighted when Birtelli’s approached them and suggested this innovative partnership as part of the wider Kidsmas campaign, particularly given the impact Covid 19 has had on families throughout the area.
“They were able to see just how, together, we’ll be able to deliver moments of happiness, wellbeing and laughter to our support services across the UK.
“Christmas time can be a fantastic time for many children, but for some children living in poverty or living in social isolation it can bring many challenges.
“We are grateful for the support of Birtelli’s through this partnership. We’re hoping it will inject some flavour and joy into Christmas this year, for both the children we care for and as a thank you to our own colleagues and volunteers who have worked so hard over the last 18 months.
“And until Boxing Day Birtelli’s will donate 15% of every pizza meal kit sold throughout England, Scotland and Wales to our Kidsmas campaign, and are hoping to raise £15,000 towards our Kidsmas campaign.
“It was great to launch the campaign by rewarding some of the unsung heroes of the Covid-19 pandemic, Barnardo’s volunteers and staff.
“They have all worked so hard supporting and protecting children and young people across the UK, so deserve the recognition and the tasty pizzas served up at our meeting.”
Liz Dovey and Julie Joannides were among the Barnardo’s colleagues who helped launch the partnership with Birtelli’s, and saw first-hand the way cooking and eating food can bring people together.
Liz, an Early Years Practitioner said: “The last 18 months have been a challenge as we have tried to find different ways to support families and young children to access our services.
“Switching overnight from our normal face to face group sessions, to developing skills in creating online content and helping families to access digital resources meant we all had to work differently and adapt. We had to learn new skills and often step out of our comfort zones to reach families who were really isolated and needed our support.
“Fortunately, with additional donations and thanks to partnerships like this one, we were able to support families with digital options of connection and craft and activity packs so that they could access our services at home.
“We know working digitally has its benefits but, just like with the children and families we help, being there in person makes such a difference and we are really enjoying things now that we can deliver small face to face groups again in our centres.
Julie, a Children’s Services Manager, said: “This year has been incredibly challenging for our staff teams keeping services open for families whilst home schooling their own children or caring for other family members.
“My team have worked really hard to ensure that those families who need support most can access help. Our centres have remained open whilst dealing with ever changing guidance around COVID.
“The generous donation of pizzas for our staff team was very welcome and a lovely way to show appreciation of all of their hard work. In order to continue to support others we know that we must look after ourselves and it is not often our staff get such a delicious treat.
“It has given us a much needed boost, as we experienced first-hand the way cooking and eating food can bring people together and have fun.
“We are all very aware that some families will be impacted greatly by poverty and will rely on the additional support that Barnardo’s can offer through their fundraising activities.”
Jim Biryah, co-founder of Leamington Spa-based Birtelli’s, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Barnardo’s this Christmas as we look to bring moments of happiness and wellbeing to children and families most in need.
“By working with Barnardo’s we want to help raise awareness of children and families that miss out on the magic of Christmas time, while also raising vital funds to support vulnerable children across the UK.
“But, of course, we aren’t forgetting those who provide that unrivalled support to those in need throughout the pandemic, come rain or shine – the Barnardo’s volunteers and colleagues.
“Together with Barnardo’s volunteers, we’ll be delivering our home pizza crafting experience, helping to bring children, families and volunteers together to connect, make pizza, laugh and smile.
“And this will form part of our support to the amazing team at Barnardo’s and their Kidsmas campaign, to help people rediscover the magic of Christmas and also raise significant funds that could make a huge difference to the lives of thousands of children and families.”
To support Barnardo’s fundraising partnership with Birtelli’s and help raise vital funds for the charity’s Kidsmas campaign while enjoying your own personally made pizza, simply click https://go.birtellis.co.uk/Barnardos
The Kidsmas campaign’s live event will see 200 children’s voices kicking off advent, live at Birmingham Town Hall in an evening concert of fabulously joyous, seasonal songs. Click here to visit Barnardo’s website and buy a ticket.
All proceeds going towards Barnardo’s Kidsmas campaign to raise money to help give vulnerable children a magical Christmas, and a brighter future.
Last year’s host Barnardo’s president, Natasha Kaplinsky OBE, introduced Jamie Cullum as the star performer. This year our host and secret star act will be announced nearer to showtime.
To help Birtelli's raise £15,000 towards Barnardo’s Kidsmas campaign, click here.
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