Last year, the Social Heritage Project successfully arranged the Cranleigh Christmas lunch in just 11 days, however, it is exhausting carrying out the main logistics autonomously or with a small group.
This year, we have more volunteers and a newly renovated Village Hall opening next month thanks to the efforts of our Local MP and Local Parish Council.
As such, we are working together to ensure everyone can enjoy Christmas Day, with event logistics covered through delegated volunteering roles, effective team coordination, strategic fundraising, and public relations.
A reminder of the event in 2024: People Profile: Community Cares! – Cranleigh Magazine
We have set up an Executive Committee to meet each year (preferably in September) to make the necessary arrangements for the forthcoming winter event.
Christmas Day lunch has technically been abandoned by the local churches due to a lack of volunteers at Cranleigh Baptist Church and urgent renovation work at St Nick’s Church Rooms.
Assuming this event will be held at The Village Hall for the foreseeable future, we aim in the future, to collect enough funds throughout the course of the year, rather than waiting until the eleventh hour to make the necessary arrangements. Having regular donors would also ensure the longevity of this significant event for vulnerable people.
The Executive Committee will receive an Operational Guideline Report later this week with an outline of what we require so we can begin to liaise with each other and find out which members of our committee may be able to assist with each task on our agenda.
Our social and professional networks are important as we reach out to larger organisations this year, inspiring their philanthropic donations in the spirit of Christmas and Corporate Social Responsibility.
This list is yet to be confirmed by each participant:
1. Rosemary Hurtley (Director at SMART Cranleigh, External Engagement)
2. Charles Hurtley (Professional Accountant)
3. Jason Lawford (Partner at Duke Street / Director at The Social Heritage Project)
4. Marc Scully (Chair of Local Parish Council / Operational Lead)
5. Christopher Fordham (Director at DMGT / External Engagement)
6. Michael Wild (Director of Memory Lane, Operational Support)
7. Fiona Coleman-Scully (Creative Director, Operational Support)
8. Beverley Bell (Clerk, Local Parish Council and Health & Safety Lead)
9. Trevor Dale (External Fundraising /Cranleigh Lions & District Club)
10. Rod Weale (Chair, Cranleigh Lions & District Club)
11. Roy Woodhams (External Engagement)
12. Nicola Craven-Smith (External Engagement)
13. David Barry (External Fundraising)
14. Viviana Small (Operational Lead, Professional Caterer From Vivi’s Kitchen)
15. Sheila Smith (External Engagement)
16. Paul Higgins (Director of Cranleigh Magazine / PR expertise)
17. The Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP (Endorsement, Honorary Guest)
18. Natasha Victor (Project Management Lead & Director of The Social Heritage Project)
We hope to see this Committee grow in numbers over the years ahead. Please nominate anyone who may be an asset to our group with their prior knowledge/approval.
Logistics and Budget
The LPC Chair, Marc Scully, has sourced food donations from various places, but not enough to cater for the 50+ attendees we expect this year based on 2023’s number of guests.
Additionally, I have sourced the Christmas Tree (Julie at Hans Christmas Andersen), luxury decorations (Joanna at The Christmas Tree Decorators), a professional caterer (Viviana), a professional opera singer (Liz Westaway), and volunteers all will provide a service to the local community as a huge gesture of goodwill.
Ideally, we would like to compensate donors to demonstrate our gratitude. We intend to promote your businesses in local and regional media by reporting your efforts as part of our team. One good turn deserves another. We will be hopefully filming on the day for a short documentary.
We hope this level of cross-marketing will help boost your brand in the public eye through local or corporate social responsibility.
NB: We are currently hugely under budget compared to last year when we spent £1800.00 and have approx. £500.00 at the Local Parish Council account.
What are the urgent essentials that we need fundraising for?
- Transport Many people on our guest list have mobility issues due to disabilities. Last year the Local Parish Council arranged a minibus, however, after an 89-year-old hurt her leg climbing the steps, we have decided that there is too much risk if there are not the necessary ramps provided. Option A is to find a vehicle for the day as last year. The challenge is to find drivers with an adequate licence to drive a minibus. Option B is to provide those who require transport a taxi (in negotiation). The issue here is that taxi companies charge double on Bank Holidays and start the meter at £12 before departure on Christmas Day. It may be the case that we need to pay for the fleet of cars to go from local addresses in the morning and return guests in the afternoon from The Village Hall. Last year this was approximately 30 people who required transportation.
- Presents for guests – we allocated £10 per guest last year.
- Food & Drinks – we need funding for this urgently.
- Christmas decorations
- Advertising and Invitations
Finally, to fundraise as swiftly as possible we have implemented the following:
- Created a crowdfunding page to circulate with organisations, friends, and family https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/thesocialheritage-projectchristmaslunch2024
- Sent correspondence to various corporate organisations to seek financial support
- Contacting our regular supporters who donate each year
We encourage everyone to kindly speak to their neighbours and local businesses to see what they may be able to offer this year. Every little helps!
As we have a list of all the names of those who attended last year, our advertising is being kept to a minimum, so that we target those most vulnerable in terms of outreach and social support during what appears will be a cold winter.
However, it is preferable to be able to cater for more should there be a wider interest in the event this year and potentially have a financial budget surplus for 2025.
Please contact me on the details above if you would like to be involved with this year’s project or can signpost us to one of your contacts who may be able to assist or help.
We look forward to working with you all to help our community and our neighbours who need it the most. Please feel free to get in touch on the details above regarding volunteers, funding, or general enquiries.
You can also liaise directly with our Operational Lead at the Local Parish Council:
Many thanks in advance for your support, empathy, and generosity.
