HIP HIP Hooray – HIP's Christmas Lunch!
On Tuesday 5th December, HIP hosted their Christmas lunch at the Crewe Arms Hotel. The Crewe Arms Hotel has been one of HIP's many supporters over the past year, raising around an amazing £350 for the charity. To hold HIP's Christmas do at this supportive establishment seemed, as such, more than appropriate for the occasion!
HIP members, and supporters, were clad in a variety of Christmas jumpers, hats and scarves making everyone feel instantly more merry! Once everyone had arrived at the venue, the Crewe Arms Hotel staff welcomed the HIP family into one of their event rooms, which was decorated with tinsel, fairy lights and all things Christmassy! The tables were split into the different coffee morning groups, and people were then left to discover where they were to be sat and take their places.
Before the meal, Edie, HIP's Operational Manager, made a short speech and welcomed everyone to the event, which included HIP members, volunteers, supporters and trustees. A special thanks also went out to the Crewe Arms Hotel for hosting the event, and to all the supporters of HIP, including the hotel, over the past year, and their amazing fundraising work, which helps to support HIP as a charity. With warm welcomes and "thank yous" to everyone over, the meal started without too much further ado.
The hotel provided a delicious three-course meal to all the attendees with all the trimmings of a Christmas meal for those who wanted that option, and alternatives for those who were saving themselves for Christmas day for those delicacies! Much chatter and laughter accompanied the meal and was interrupted by two very special events. The first event was the Christmas raffle! Raffle tickets were sold throughout the meal with everyone being within a chance of winning twelve amazing prizes. The raffle raised an amazing £173.00. The lucky twelve winners were able to choose from a selection of wonderful prizes, such as flowers, jam and chutney sets, and a Christmas cake! For those who didn't win a prize, they were not left to feel too disappointed with the arrival of the Funky Choir from South Cheshire. The Funky Choir sung a variety of Christmas songs. The choir leader entertained everyone with an array of funny anecdotes and welcomed people to sing along. With the overwhelming cheer and laughter the choir brought to the room, it was hard not to smile whilst watching the entertainers perform.
After the choir had finished their repertoire, it was sadly time for the HIP family to part ways and make tracks to the mini-busses. However, everyone seemed in good festive spirits, and with high hopes, and plenty of excitement, for Christmas and the New Year.
Article written by: Maggie Allan