Charity, Events & Entertainment | Posted on October 3rd, 2025 | return to news

Christmas Eve picnic fundraisers for Gaza to take place in Dorset

Residents of Dorset are being asked to organise a Christmas Eve Picnic to raise funds for humanitarian relief in Gaza.

A Wimborne resident is calling on members of the Dorset community to take part in their own festive picnic to help raise funds for charity.

Moved by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Glenda Stansbury is urging residents to gather with family or friends on Christmas Eve and think of others, at one of the most compassionate times of the year, and make a donation to the British Red Cross.

She said: “I am sure that, after watching news bulletins regarding the plight of Gaza, there are several people who, like me, think: how can we possibly help, and could we even make a difference?

“It is too easy to think it is someone else’s responsibility, but positive actions do help.”

She is promoting the picnic fundraiser as a way to spread compassion and empathy to others across the miles during the Christmas season.

“The idea is that people get together and have a picnic of their choice and wherever they chose on Christmas Eve. Whether that be together in a park, in a community hall, or even virtually with others, just to spend a few hours thinking of those less fortunate and how fortunate our own pathways are.

“Perhaps it will be an opportunity to enlighten children gently about the lives of other families overseas.

“It would be a time to take a step back and take stock to appreciate all we have whilst offering some empathy to those families in Gaza. At a time when we quite often feel stressed with the pressures of Christmas, this opportunity to do something different on Christmas Eve may bring a different slant and in doing so enhance our own wellbeing over Christmas.

“When I was bringing my own family up, many years ago, I often used to think ‘let’s keep things simpler and do a Christmas picnic on the beach’. But it’s not too late; I will invite my adult children this year for that Christmas picnic and we can collectively donate to this appeal together.”

Glenda has suggested making a donation of £30, (which is approximately the cost of a turkey dinner in the UK.) She stressed that this is not to take away any of the celebrations people may already have in place for Christmas, and added: “Much like the clapping for the NHS during Covid on a Thursday evening, this is just a chance to collaboratively spread compassion and empathy while making a charitable donation.”

The British Red Cross is supporting the Palestine Red Crescent Society with its lifesaving work in Gaza. Thanks to donations, the society has provided over 1.6 million emergency relief items, supported over 900,000 people with health services, and set up 27 camps for displaced people in Gaza. It distributes around 1,000 hot meals daily to displaced people.

To make a donation for your Christmas Eve picnic, please visit giving.give-star.com/online/british-red-cross/glenda-fundraising-gaza.