Formerly homeless Gosport military veterans are tucking into some tasty Christmas cheer thanks to our Hampshire-wide Christmas charity initiative.

30 boxes were distributed to the residents of Alabaré Home for Veterans in Gosport by our Chief Executive Mark Perry. Another 40 are being shared out at Alabaré’s services for homeless young people in Andover, providing accommodation, care and support to those aged 13-24.

We’ve given away around 800 “treat boxes” to 11 small charities across the county.  They were individually filled and signed by our staff and each contains a selection of goodies – from biscuits to popcorn, cheese straws and hot chocolate - that offer some cheer to a range of recipients, young and old, and that might be considered little luxuries for those living on a low budget or facing isolation this Christmas.

Alabaré Hampshire Homes for Veterans Service Manager Yana Preston said: “We would like to thank VIVID so much for thinking of our Hampshire-based services for this incredibly kind gesture. These boxes will be distributed amongst our homes to help provide some additional festive cheer to the veterans and young people within our care.”

VIVID chief executive Mark Perry said: “Wellbeing and bright futures are at the heart of what we aim to offer our customers and at this time of year we wanted to spread that vision to others. As well as to those receiving Alabaré’s fantastic care, boxes have gone to foodbanks in Portsmouth and elsewhere, domestic abuse and crisis centres, shelters for homeless, and young people facing neglect and difficult backgrounds.”

Alongside Alabaré, our boxes have been donated to foodbanks in Portsmouth, Southampton and Basingstoke, Southern Domestic Abuse in Havant, Fareham and Gosport, local day care charities supporting isolated elderly and our staff’s charity of the year, Yellow Brick Road Projects, which supports young families in need.

Photo, left to right: Trevor Barnes, Sharon Hainey (Housing Support Workers), home residents Paul and Nick, Care Officer Rachel Houston , Gosport Care Officer Yana Preston, VIVID Chief Executive Mark Perry, VIVID team Stuart and CJay , and resident  Clive Young.