BREAKING: A Cardiff community has turned Canada Road into a stunning “walk-through advent calendar,” raising over £700 for Cardiff Foodbank. This festive initiative kicked off on December 1 and showcases unique window displays that will continue until January 5, the traditional date for removing Christmas decorations.
The project, organized by residents of Gabalfa, has gained momentum thanks to the support of local businesses, including Morgans Consult and Cant a Mil Bookshop, as well as St Monica’s Church in Wales Primary School. Each day leading up to Christmas, one or two households unveil creative holiday displays, bringing cheer to the neighborhood.
Organizers have expressed their astonishment at the community’s generosity. Nic Humphries, one of the project leaders, stated, “We weren’t sure how effective a project like this would be, but we have been amazed by people’s generosity. Every day there is something new to look forward to, which has really brightened up walking the dog in all this rain.”
St Monica’s head teacher, Abigail Cuthbert, emphasized the importance of community engagement: “We have only recently moved to our new location at the end of Canada Road, so we were very happy to get involved and help our new neighbors support Cardiff Foodbank and the wonderful services it provides.”
Mike Kitchin, managing director at Morgans Consult, praised the collaboration: “Seeing residents, schools, and local businesses come together to bring a little extra Christmas warmth to the local area while raising vital funds to support struggling families has been amazing to see.”
This marks the second year for the advent windows project but the first time it has been used as a fundraiser. Planning began in October, with residents voting to support Cardiff Foodbank, an organization that provides emergency food and support to those in crisis.
Rachel Biggs, CEO of Cardiff Foodbank, expressed gratitude for the community’s effort: “This is such a lovely community-led fundraiser; we’re really grateful for all the donations and very excited to see the rest of the window displays as they are revealed.”
Cardiff Foodbank reported that last winter, they distributed enough food to create 47,907 meals, with over half of the recipients being children. Biggs added, “We are keen that this event also raises awareness with families in the area that Cardiff Foodbank is here to offer help and support.”
If you wish to contribute to this heartwarming initiative, donations can be made through the project’s JustGiving page. For those in need of emergency food assistance, vouchers can be accessed via the Cardiff Foodbank website.
This remarkable project not only brightens the streets of Canada Road but also reinforces the spirit of community during the holiday season. Stay tuned for more updates as the advent windows continue to unfold.
