St John's Church Christmas trees light up for Newbury Soup Kitchen

Twinkling lights adorning Christmas trees lined the aisle and provided a "magical sight" at a Newbury church in the run up to Christmas.

St John's Church's popular Community Christmas Tree Festival ran again this year – from December 14 until Christmas Eve – raising much needed funds for Newbury Soup Kitchen.

Around 30 Christmas trees, with lights, were decorated by schools, uniformed groups, shops and organisations and lit up the inside of the church throughout the festive season.

Entry was free to see what the church described as "a magical sight", but donations were welcomed to support the work of Newbury Soup Kitchen.

Meryl Praill, CEO of the soup kitchen, said the charity really valued the "kindness and support" offered by the church.

"Gary Collins [associate vicar at St John's] and the parishioners of St John the Evangelist Church have been a huge support for Newbury Soup Kitchen," she added.

"We have been invited again this year to join in with The Christmas Tree Festival. Our tree is decorated by decorations donated by staff and volunteers of the charity to remember wonderful clients that we have had the pleasure to help and support who are no longer with us.

"This tradition for us is an opportunity to reflect, it is really hard to work through the loss of someone you often work so closely with, this tree is a perfect way.

"Sadly, each year more names are added. This however gives us strength and determination to work harder to help more people who often slip through the net or struggle to engage.

"We do not work purely with homeless individuals, many are housed in permanent or temporary accommodation many are lonely, struggling with mental health, addictions and debt."

Mrs Praill said that Rev Collins also regularly delivers a collection box to the charity that is full of donated food to help with the food provision sessions and food parcels that Newbury Soup Kitchen provides for vulnerable clients.

"We value all the kindness and support Gary and St John the Evangelist Church gives us at Christmas and throughout the year," she added.

Some of the group's to take part were City Arts, St John's pre-school, the Friends of Newtown Road Cemetery and the charity Newbury Soup Kitchen itself.

A raffle was also held to help boost the coffers.