Every Christmas, Eccleshall shows what true community spirit looks like. At the heart of it all is Perrys of Eccleshall, the award-winning local butcher whose generosity has become a much-loved tradition in our town. What began as a simple idea to make sure no family goes without during the festive season has grown into a remarkable annual initiative that touches hundreds of lives.

Most of us are fortunate never to experience the worry of how to put food on the table or whether Christmas dinner will be possible. But for some families in our community, especially in recent years, these concerns are very real. That is why Perrys stepped in.

Each year, they donate a minimum of £3 from every Christmas order to create food hampers for families who need extra support. Working alongside local schools such as Bishop Lonsdale, Cooper Perry and Sir Graham Balfour, they help identify households where a helping hand will make the greatest difference. This year, more than 200 food boxes are expected to be delivered.

These boxes are far more than simple food parcels. They are filled with produce reared by our local community and funded through the kindness and contributions of Eccleshall residents and businesses. They provide full meals for Christmas Day and support throughout the festive period, easing the pressure that this time of year can bring.

At James Du Pavey, we are proud to have supported this initiative from the very beginning. It has become part of our own Christmas tradition, and this year we are delighted to be donating five food boxes to help even more families enjoy the Christmas they deserve.

What makes this initiative so special is not just the giving, but the stories that come back to Perrys each year. Messages from schools, parents and families remind us why this work matters. Parents who can buy an extra gift because they know food is taken care of. Families who invite an elderly neighbour to join them for Christmas dinner, turning their hamper into a shared moment of warmth and companionship. These are the moments that truly define Eccleshall.

We want to congratulate Perrys of Eccleshall for their continued dedication to this wonderful initiative. Their commitment brings people together, inspires kindness and shows what can be achieved when a community supports one another.

We are proud of Perrys, proud of Eccleshall and proud of every person who helps make our community the caring and generous place it is.