S: Hi, I’m Steph
A: and I’m Andrew.
BOTH: MERRY CHRISTMAS
S: Today we want to do a bit of a shout out to the people, charities and organisation the
do great things in the run up to Christmas. Obviously most have already taken place, but watch out for them in 2026.
Santa Paws at The Forum - with RSPCA Norwich. If you love your dog, you’ll love this! Share the magic of Christmas with your four-legged friends!
A: Mancroft Christmas Tree Festival
This is an annual event held at St Peter Mancroft Church in Norwich, organized by the Rotary Club of Norwich St Edmund. It features over 30 uniquely decorated trees, with proceeds going to local charities. It normally runs at the beginning of December, with the Lord Mayor switching on the lights on December 3rd this year.
S: Norwich Open Christmas
This is a yearly event which takes place on 25th December to give people who are alone, homeless, or in need a Christmas celebration. For over 30 years, guests and volunteers have been coming out in their droves for a Christmas celebration like no other. There’s a yummy Christmas dinner and afternoon tea, terrific entertainment, food parcels, clothing, and a really warm welcome. This yearly event gives hundreds of people in Norwich and the surrounding area a place to have fun and enjoy themselves on Christmas Day, whatever their circumstances may be.
A: Norwich Basket Brigade
They are Spreading Love, One Basket at a Time
At the heart of their community lies a passion for kindness, a commitment to making a difference, and the belief that small acts of generosity can create a ripple effect of positive change. The Norwich Basket Brigade, proudly affiliated with the Tony Robbins Foundation, on a mission to bring joy and nourishment to those in need.
S: Nelson’s Journey Rudolph Run
If you watched Children in Need you would have seen that Nelson’s Journey has been doing an amazing job supporting Norfolk’s bereaved children and young people for 28 years. With no government support, they rely solely on the amazing support of donors and fundraisers to keep going. Campaigns like the Rudolph Run not only help to raise vital funds that they need to continue, but also to increase awareness of the important work they do.
A: Break Charity Christmas Tree Recycling.
Let Break take the hassle out of disposing of your real Christmas tree. Instead of worrying about what to do with your tree once the festivities are over, let them handle it for you, all while supporting a great cause!
Donate and make a difference. With a simple donation, they'll come to your door, collect your tree, and recycle it responsibly.
You can book your collection up to midnight on Sunday 4 January 2026 to ensure your tree is picked up and recycled without any fuss.
S: The Lamb Inn Christmas Toy Drive.
They have been collecting brand new toys for the Jenny Lind Ward at Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. This took place between the 1st - 15th December. Look out for this next year.
A: Norfolk County Council welcomed back the Giving Tree appeal for Christmas
2025.
This is a popular initiative that brings the magic of books to children in care across the county.
Hosted at Waterstones, Castle Street, Norwich, the Giving Tree is decorated with tags, each representing a child and the book or genre they'd love to receive. Shoppers can select a tag, purchase the chosen book, and hand it in at the till. Norfolk County Council will then wrap and deliver the gifts in time for Christmas Day.
This cherished Christmas initiative, designed to bring joy to the county's children in care, has been a favourite among the Waterstones customers, with thousands of books purchased since it began nearly 20 years ago.
The Giving Tree is organised by Norfolk Virtual School, which supports the education of all Norfolk children in care. The scheme aims to ensure every child in care receives a book for Christmas that encourages a love of reading.
Councillor Penny Carpenter, Cabinet Member for Children's Services at Norfolk County Council, said: "The Giving Tree is a fantastic initiative that brings the joy of reading to children of all ages who are living in care. As ever, we are completely grateful to everyone who help make Christmas special for hundreds of children over the years."
Ben Richardson, Manager of Waterstones Norwich, said: "I am delighted that the Giving Tree is in place again for 2025. It is always the highlight of the year, and something that our customers really love contributing to."
Look out for the tree in 2026.
S: Chantry Place Christmas Gift Appeal.
A fabulous way to have been a part of the ‘spirit of Christmas’ - people donate a toy or treat to the children’s gift appeal. Once again, it was supporting local charity Alive UK, which helps to provide emergency support to people in Norfolk, by collecting gift donations to treat those in need.
How does it work?
“Being able to bring some joy to those in need at Christmas is just fantastic,” says Jo Bates, General Manager, “we just love seeing the donations pile up, and knowing that every gift, no matter how small, will help to make a child’s Christmas just that little bit special.”
Both: We wish everyone a happy Christmas.
