Over 1,700 food and toy hampers have been distributed in the Newry area this Christmas, and thousands of local people have been provided with a free hot meal, all thanks to the efforts of team members at Norbrook.

The company’s WeCare@Christmas campaign saw hundreds of employees at its Newry sites get involved in donating food and toys and assembling hampers for local families. Canteen staff also prepared over 2,100 individual hot meals for local people.

This is the third consecutive year that WeCare@Christmas has been running. It was initially created by Norbrook during the COVID-19 pandemic but has been expanded by the company due to the cost-of-living crisis.

This year it has also included the provision of two Christmas dinner events at Norbrook’s facilities, with over 200 elderly Newry residents treated to a festive afternoon, hosted and catered for by Norbrook staff.

The campaign also saw Norbrook team members decorating Daisy Hill Hospital’s Paediatric Ward and Southern Area Hospice’s Memory Garden, as well as volunteering at the hospice’s Light Up a Life event.

Denise Collins HR, Director, Norbrook said: “In recognition of the current cost of living crisis, our WeCare@Christmas programme was expanded this year to support young and old in the wider community.

“Through the generosity of Norbrook and our employees, food and toys were donated to create hampers for families in need, while fundraising activities enabled us to prepare more hampers than ever before. Our amazing canteen team prepared and donated 2,100 hot dinners to the community in partnership with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and local charities, while our first Senior Citizens’ Christmas Lunches were held on site, bring festive cheer to over two hundred senior citizens.

“Our WeCare@Christmas programme has grown from strength to strength each year and we are grateful for the support of the company and involvement of hundreds of employees whose generous donations and time show the true spirit of Christmas in our community.”