We're delighted that we were able to host our first Christmas gathering since 2019 yesterday to launch our 25th anniversary festive celebrations. Keeping everyone safe and well was our number one priority. It was such a joy to see everyone out and about and saying how much they'd missed getting together.
We were lucky enough to have the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Asghar Khan join us and welcomed his warm words for both LIHH and the Irish community's contribution to Leeds. Like many migrant groups we have woven ourselves into the fabric of this great City, as will the newly arriving groups over the next centuries.
Carina O'Brien, Vice-Consul from the newly opened Consulate General of Ireland for the North of England was also present for her first taste of an LIHH Christmas bash and said how lovely it was to meet so many of the community and how she was looking forward to many more trips to see everyone.
Rachel Brighton from Leeds City Council's Public Health unit was able to be with us and witness Care, Culture and Community in action. Alongside our wonderful staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly throughout the day we also had volunteers from Leeds Building Society and the Department of Transport who fed back what a wonderful time they'd had with us.
Children from the Holy Rosary and St Anne's primary school entertained us with beautiful Christmas Carols and members from Leeds CCE provided tunes for the event alongside our great friend and DJ Tommy K.
The ladies from Jamaica Society Leeds also joined us as we develop our blossoming partnership.
And today sees us launch the Christmas Craic Pack initiative for the second year where we, alongside volunteers from across the Irish groups and associations in Leeds who came together during the pandemic to ensure no one was left alone, deliver taste of home foodstuffs, a Christmas gift, winter warmth items, cards from local school children and a host of other goodies to put a smile on peoples faces at this time of the year who may otherwise not see anyone.
We've been very busy wrapping presents and getting everyone organised to deliver and the air of excitement is tangible. It's a great initiative to be part of.
We thank all those businesses and individuals who have helped us raise funds for this initiative throughout the year and especially the Ireland Fund of Great Britain, Leeds City Council, Arnold Clark, Leeds Older People's Forum Time to Shine and Leeds Community Foundation who have supported us with grants to bring the Craic-ker Pack Project to fruition once again. We are very grateful for all your support.
For further information on our Craic Pack initiative please call 0113 262 5614 or email us at info@lihh.org
