Welsh business feeds over 100 families for Christmas

A&R Services, a Bridgend-based soft facilities provider, is aiming to feed over 100 families this Christmas, providing households across Wales with a festive food hamper.

Following the success of last year’s campaign, A&R Services has once again collaborated with local foodbanks, communities and businesses to help families in need this holiday season.

With soaring energy bills, housing prices and inflation rates, many have been impacted by the cost-of-living challenges.

Ashley Davies, Co-founder and Managing Director of A&R Services, said: “Christmas is always a time of giving, and this year more people than ever are in need.

“Our goal this year was to reach even more families across the whole of Wales than our previous campaigns, sharing food cupboard staples and festive treats that we hope help their celebrations.”

A&R Services began the pledge in 2020, as ‘Feed Five Families’ but quickly exceeded this goal and last year reached over 100 households in Wales.

This year’s appeal sees businesses across Wales contribute, with A&R employees packing hampers and care packages to donate to families with the support of local food banks and charities.

LATCH, the Welsh Children’s Cancer Charity, took part in the appeal for a consecutive year.

A spokesperson for LATCH said: “Caring for a child during treatment is hard on all the family and finances are often a worry as parents will often have to take time off work to support their child. Our families were so grateful for the wonderful hampers packed full of lovely food and treats.

“The donations helped Latch continue to provide care, comfort and support for children receiving treatment for cancer at the Children’s Hospital for Wales, and their families. We truly appreciate A&R’s support.”

On a more local level, Maesteg-based charity Special Families, which provides support, activities, and friendship to families with children and adults who have a disability, also helped share the hampers with families in need.

A spokesperson for Special Families said: “This year in the current climate it is essential that we again work together to help those trying to make ends meet.

“A&R Services have been supportive, consistent, and helpful. Working with them to provide food for local families in need was a vital collaboration for us to ensure families in the community were supported.”

A total of 12 local businesses donated to the campaign, which has seen hampers delivered to homes in Cardiff, Swansea and Bridgend, including: GS Verde Group, Treforest Tiling, MJR Marketing, AMB Building & Construction, GCIL Bullion, H.D. Adcock Express, Bridgend Fords, Lewis Pike Mortgage Advisor, DWA Accountants, Cristal Washroom Services, R McGee Insurance Broker Ltd and B2Bxi.

Ashley continued: “Without the support of communities across South Wales, A&R would not be where it is today; it’s thanks to our fantastic staff, clients and connections to local people that have helped us grow.

“It was important to us to give back to these communities and we are grateful to have such incredible support from local businesses and charities, who have helped us connect with so many families and spread some festive cheer.”