Staff at St John’s put on Christmas for disadvantaged families

Families in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk who struggle to make ends meet at Christmas were treated to a Christmas-Day dinner and Santa’s grotto with the help of Ray Stevenson, Manager of the Buttery and trustee of the Crack On Foundation.

Money to make the day possible was raised from staff at St John’s, local shops and supermarkets and the general public.

Proceeds from the College’s annual raffle for housekeeping staff were donated to the event which took place on Christmas Day at the United Reform Church in Bury St Edmunds.  Staff at St John’s also bought gifts for the 13 children who went to the lunch and extra money raised was spent on food hampers to help keep the families going over the festive period. 

The families were invited to the Christmas lunch through the Crack On Foundation of which Ray is a trustee.  The Charity aims to motivate and empower young people under the age of 25 who are struggling with social issues such as homelessness, single parenthood, unemployment or difficult family situations. 

Ray said: “I was overwhelmed by the support I received from colleagues, friends and even strangers for this event.  Seeing the children’s faces as they opened their presents made the day so worthwhile and we were so pleased to be able to give these families the Christmas they deserve”.

To find out more about the Crack on Foundation visit: www.facebook.com/farmisafieldofdreams

For more information regarding Ray’s plans for his charity Christmas lunch in 2016, contact him via: r.stevenson@joh.cam.ac.uk