Christmas Box

Project Christmas Holiday Box

In 2022, encouraged by local residents and business owners, Shepherd’s Star launched its first Project Christmas Holiday Box crowdfunding campaign through JustGiving, to support families in need over Christmas.

Following the overwhelming success — and many happy recipients — of that first year, we committed to running the project annually.

Bringing the magic of Christmas to families who need it most

In December 2025, we delivered our fourth annual Christmas Holiday Box Project, and it was our biggest yet. With the generous support of Chelsea Foundation, Richmond Furniture Scheme, Twickenham Hygiene Bank, local agencies and an incredible community of volunteers, we raised £11,419 and delivered 120 boxes to families across Richmond — a 50% increase on the previous year.

More than a meal

Each box is packed with everything a family needs to enjoy Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day: a traditional roast with all the trimmings, pantry essentials and celebratory treats. For many of the families we support, Christmas is a time of increased loneliness and financial stress. Every box we deliver is a reminder that they are seen, cared for — and that their Christmas should feel special.

“This gift is not just food and necessary things. It is the warmth of your hearts – attention, kindness, friendship.” — Christmas Box recipient

“As a single parent, knowing that someone had taken the time and care to think of us brought a huge sense of comfort and relief at what can be a very stressful time of year. It helped make Christmas feel special, joyful, and full of warmth.” — Christmas Box recipient

The power of partnership

This year’s project was made possible by an extraordinary team effort. Over four days, 66 volunteers gave 208 hours to build, fill and deliver every box — including 9 volunteers from Chelsea Foundation — and together we completed the project in record time.

To reach the families who needed us most, we worked with frontline local partners including Achieving for Children, Home-Start, Look Ahead, Mortlake Community Association and the Welcome Home Project, who helped identify beneficiaries across the borough of Richmond upon Thames.

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Shepherd’s Star is incredibly grateful to all our supporters, volunteers and community partners for their involvement in our campaign – we could not do what we do without you.  In particular, we thank:
  • Cambrian Community Centre
  • Richmond Furniture Scheme
  • Twickenham Hygiene Bank
  • Sainsbury’s Richmond
  • Rent-a-fridge (Steve)
  • Root Canal Dental Referral Centre
  • Local families
  • Rumsey & Sons
  • Our wonderful volunteers
  • Express Signs
  • Achieving for Children
  • Chelsea Foundation

In their own words

“The Christmas box was amazing, me and my family enjoyed all the foods you had sent and was overwhelmed with delight that we was able to celebrate a lovely Christmas dinner as we have been struggling and you and Laura made that possible. A huge thank you to you all who made it possible for me and my family who have been hit bad with the financial crisis that’s going on. Just seeing my daughter’s faces having a amazing dinner and sweets. Words can’t describe how you made us feel. Honestly I thought we was not even going to have a Christmas for my girls who have been so excited and was helping prepare dinner. Thank you so much for making Christmas so special for us.”

Christmas Box recipient

“The festive season is often filled with warmth, abundance and celebration. Whilst many of us gather around festive tables, other families in our community face the season with empty cupboards and uncertainty.

By being a part of our ‘Christmas Boxes’ project, we can help ensure that no one in our neighbourhood goes hungry during the Christmas holidays. We come together to show the true spirit of Christmas: compassion, generosity and community.”

Jasmin, Root Canal Dental Referral Centre

“At Chelsea Foundation we recognise that we’re not the experts in everything. Organisation’s such as Shepherd’s Star know how to support people who are experiencing isolation and hardship and that’s why it was so important for us to collaborate with them on our Magic of Blue Campaign.

They focus on these issues every single day, and our role is to lean in and support the incredible work they’re already doing. By coming together, we can be greater than the sum of our parts – using Chelsea’s platform to shine a light on their vital contribution to the community. Smaller charities often go unsung and unseen, so as a club, we’re proud to help raise awareness and share with our fans the amazing work happening right here locally.”

Laura Cordingley, CEO, Chelsea Foundation