COVENTRY Building Society Arena will give over 200 people who may be alone or isolated this Christmas an experience to remember.
The arena will be one of eight venues across the UK hosting ‘One Day at Christmas’ on Friday, December 6.
Launched by Mash Media in 2017, the charity event will create a Christmas Day experience for those who are alone, for the first year in Coventry.
It is being supported by BtoB Events, a global exhibition and trade events company, and Coventry Building Society.
Guests will enjoy a full Christmas meal, live entertainment, dancing and games to recreate the Christmas day experience.
People invited to the event will already have been engaged in a range of programmes ran by community organisations across the city and surrounding areas, including Coventry Building Society’s friendship groups, Sky Blues in the Community, Saheli Group and Age UK Coventry and Warwickshire.
Charlie Healy, who reached the finals of X Factor in 2011, will be performing on the evening and businesses from across the region are being asked to offer prizes for games on the day.
Raymond Constable, 75, from Ryton-on-Dunsmore, will be one of the guests attending the event, he was married for 46 years, but in 2016 his wife Christine died from cancer.
Raymond’s daughter encouraged him to join the group and he has since grown new friendships.
He said: “I lost my wife and I was at home, alone, down and isolated.
“I needed something as I felt like I had nothing left in my life, but now I have. From going to a meet and greet, it has snowballed into a group of new friends and a social life I never had before.
“I’m always excited for Christmas. It is always a special time. I can’t wait for the event. It is something to look forward to and I’m sure it will be lovely.
“Events like this really are important for people who are in similar positions to me. It’s a chance to get together and have a celebration.”
Paul Michael, managing director at the arena said Christmas can be a difficult time for many people, and he hopes the event will make a difference to anyone who attends.
Jamie Hill, representing One Day at Christmas and managing director of BtoB Events, added: “I am particularly proud to be of this wonderful event, and as a proud
Coventry man myself it means so much to be able to provide a wonderful Christmas Day experience to those in our local community who need it the most.
“I am really grateful to Paul Michael and his team at the Coventry Building Society Arena, for being so generous and allowing us to host the event with them. It is going to be fantastic.”
Visit: onedayatchristmas.com to find out more about the day.
Businesses or individuals interested in donating or supporting the event at Coventry Building Society Arena should contact Jamie Hill on [email protected] or visit onedayatchristmas.com/make-donation
