Southport BID feature by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
Local businesses in Southport are working together to bring some Christmas magic to children in Southport.
Julie Goodwin, the landlady of The Cheshire Lines Inn, has bought 30 tickets to allow families to see the Polar Express festive movie at Bijou Cinema in Southport thai Sunday (17th December 2023).
Afterwards, the cinema-goers will be invited along to enjoy a meal at The Cheshire Lines pub.
Julie says the support from other local businesses has “snowballed” since she announced what she was planning to do.
She said: “I bought the cinema tickets and have donated them to the Lourdes Deli Warm Spaces Programme so they can be gifted to families who would like to see the movie with their little ones.
“Many families locally are struggling. They can’t afford to take their children to the cinema or to a visit to Santa this year. I didn’t want to see children miss out.
“The Bijou Cinema were very helpful when I phoned them and told them what I wanted to do, they gave me a discount on the tickets.
“Then I decided I wanted to invite them all back to The Cheshire Lines Inn for Christmas dinner.
“Dune Radio has now come on board, along with some other local businesses. It has snowballed really!
“Dune are delighted to be going along to help with the event.
“The children will be able to meet Fathers Christmas and Mrs Christmas while they are with us.
“The Entertainer toy shop in Southport is supporting us too, they will be giving Christmas presents to the youngsters.
“Hickory’s in Southport will be there giving away free popcorn and bags of sweets.
“It’s going to be a really special day for them! We are excited to be seeing them all.
“I just wanted to spread some Christmas cheer and am grateful to everyone who has got involved for all their support.”
Dune Radio station manager Andy Hilbert said: We’ve been blown away with the help we have received so far from Bijou, Hickory’s Smokehouse and others and of course the very kind landlady at The Chesh, without whom this would not be happening. .
“It’s amazing what you can do when good people work together.”
Lourdes Deli is hosting its Winter Warm Space scheme, completely free, at Canning Road Church in Southport 3.30pm-5.30pm every Monday until the end of January.
Anyone is welcome and can enjoy food, toys, arts and crafts in a warm and safe environment.
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