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Yarbridge Inn Team Bring Festive Cheer To Less-Fortunate Island Families

An Isle of Wight family-run pub is helping bring festive cheer to less-fortunate families.

After seeing how many people were struggling this Christmas, the Yarbridge Inn, near Brading, decided to do something to help.

They've put together a number of free hampers to give out, which will include chicken, vegetables, potatoes, stuffing, pigs in blankets and crackers, to those who can't afford Christmas dinner this year.

Such has been the demand, the pub has said it has had to stop taking requests for a hamper.

Richard Fox, who runs the pub with his partner, mum and sister, told Isle of Wight Radio:

"Christmas is a time for so much joy, but there are so many people out there affected by the cost of living crisis, which makes Christmas a real hardship for many.

"Hearing and seeing how people are struggling this year has had an impact on our whole team at The Yarbridge Inn, we all agreed we wanted to try to do something to help.

"The hampers will all need cooking for a yummy Christmas dinner. It will also include Mamma Fox’s yorkie puddings, this will come with instructions for reheat.

"We have now reached capacity, with more than 100 people receiving one."

Chefs from the pub are making brownies and profiteroles to add in the hamper, plus some extra treats. Rich's partner, Rosie, little Bonnie and Kayleigh have also been out buying presents for all the children receiving the free hampers.

Rich continued:

"We would like to say a special thank you to Josh from Solar Renewable Installations Ltd and Island Facility Services Ltd. With the donation, we were able to provide so many more hampers than what we raised between us as a pub.

"His donation has meant we could also provide not just food, but blankets and toys for the children. He is also adding shortbread and homemade cards from his little nieces. Hopefully making Christmas that bit easier for the families receiving them.

"I also want to say a big thank you to our customers who have donated and offered their help and also to Emma from the Coop garage Sandown for donating mince pies and crisps to go in each of the hampers. The Christmas spirit is well and truly alive on the Island."

All hampers have now been assigned to Island families.

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