Fed member discusses festive food bank initiative

24 December 2024

A Federation member has praised her fellow officers for helping a Nottingham food bank fulfil a special Christmas project.

Sergeant Alison Riley, who leads neighbourhood policing for Gedling North, has helped to oversee the Force’s contribution to the ‘reverse advent calendar’ initiative at Arnold Foodbank.

The resource centre is based at Daybrook Baptist Church on Mansfield Road and is part of The Trussell Trust charity, which works to provide a lifeline for people going hungry across the UK.

The idea behind the scheme is to turn the traditional advent calendar on its head by encouraging people to give, rather than receive, a small gift – specifically, an item that will help to make up a Christmas dinner.

Alison (centre) joined by her Gedling North neighbourhood
team outside Arnold foodbank.

By combining donations, the food bank can then give out full dinners on Christmas Day to those in need across the local area.

“It was an initiative I was keen to be involved with as soon I heard about it, to be honest,” Alison said.

“Food banks do amazing work all year round, and their demand has unfortunately reached new levels in recent years, so they need all the help they can get.

Food banks

“The Trussell Trust has a huge network of food banks and they are always thinking of new ways for people to donate and new ways to distribute these donations.

“This idea allows people from the communities we serve to enjoy Christmas in the same way everyone else will be – and that sense of normality in a time of crisis could provide a huge amount of comfort to them.”

Alison went on to credit Arnold Police Station as the main hub for donations on behalf of Nottinghamshire Police, highlighting the generosity afforded by officers based in the town.

“As someone who really values the Force’s involvement in local projects, I can say that I am extremely grateful for everything that has been given to the initiative from my colleagues and I know the food bank will be just as grateful, too.

“As will the recipients of the donations – they may not know who the items have come from, but they will feel loved and looked out for. And at Christmas, that’s what we all want.

“So, a big thank-you and a merry Christmas is in order to everyone who got involved with this – your support is very much appreciated,” she ended.

READ MORE: Merry Christmas from your local Federation.