The ingredients for a great Christmas party: music, dancing, singing...and a bit of sparkle.
And our Christmas do at St Chad's in Headingley on 12th December had it all!
There was music and singing from Leeds Comhaltas, Tommy K DJ and a fabulous choir from St Phillip's RC Primary School Leeds - thank you to each and every one of you.
There was dancing from Nadine Martin Academy of Irish Dancing - and, of course, our community members got up on the floor, too.
And there was sparkle provided by our staff, LIHH, NHS Protect and Leeds Building Society volunteers, esteemed guests and, last but certainly not least, our wonderful community.
There was also a delicious meal prepared by a fantastic team of cooks and served by our staff and volunteers, a great raffle with many prizes generously donated and speeches from some of our esteemed guests.
We were honoured to welcome Lord Mayor of Leeds Cllr Bob Gettings and the Lady Mayoress, Consul General Sarah Mangan of the Consulate General of Ireland for the North of England, Séamus MacCormaic and Katie Doyle from the London Irish Centre, plus members of our board and other much-valued supporters of our work. We were also thrilled to be joined by the ladies from the Jamaica Society Leeds - thank you for coming!
And at the end of the party there was a special celebration - Craic Packs brimming with winter warmers and Irish foodie treats for all of our community members. With thanks to The Ireland Funds Great Britain, Stay Well This Winter via Public Health Leeds, and Yorkshire West Riding Freemasons The Lodge of Dawn for their generous donations to our Craic Pack appeal. Find out more about The Lodge of Dawn and their support of Leeds Irish Health and Homes here.
We would also like to thank the Twohey family who donated the proceeds from their mum's funeral Mass collection to the Craic Pack appeal.
Huge thanks again to Leeds Comhaltas, the cooks, our volunteers, staff, esteemed guests and everyone who made it a fantastic occasion. And to our very own Peter Rollings for the fabulous photography!
Nollaig shona dhaoibh go léir - Merry Christmas to you all! - from everyone at Leeds Irish Health and Homes. We'll see you again next year!
