Now in its fourth year, White Christmas Liverpool sees volunteers give up their own Christmas to transport guests and share an afternoon of festive food and entertainment. Tony McDonough reports.

An event that brings together hundreds of lonely and isolated people together on Christmas Day is to be held at Liverpool’s Titanic Hotel.

Now in its fourth year, White Christmas Liverpool was under threat last year when funding problems meant it had to leave its previous venue, St George’s Hall.

But the Titanic stepped in to save the day by donating its Rum Warehouse to hold a party for 500 – and the hotel has repeated its offer this year.

The function is hosted by a team of volunteers who give up their own Christmas, transporting guests and sharing an afternoon of festive food and entertainment.

It is aimed at people across the city who would otherwise be facing Christmas alone.

“We had 500 guests in 2015, which included around 100 volunteers over Christmas Eve and Day and was the biggest guest number we’ve ever had, and we’re aiming for similar this year,” said project manager Clare Johnson.

“Every year more and more people are getting to hear about us and we’ve already got emails flooding in from volunteers and guests just waiting for confirmation of details so they can register.

“Last year, because of the change of venue, it was hectic and we were rushing around trying to plan everything, but this year we’re poised and ready for everyone.”

Guests come to the event mostly through GP surgeries and health centres, pharmacies, community teams and just via word of mouth.

Clare added: “In the first year it was concentrated on the elderly but one of my main aims when I took over the project two years ago was to make sure that anybody of any age could access it if they need to.

“Isolation is a big factor in suicides and that could be any one of us so we want everyone to feel they can come and be made welcome, knowing they won’t be talked down to or judged.

Thanks to support from caterers, Fare Share Liverpool, Jamie Carragher’s 23 Foundation and a St Helens farmer who has donated all the fresh vegetables, guests will be treated to a Christmas lunch with all the trimmings followed by live music.

“Some people are isolated because their family have moved away, they’ve had a bereavement, or maybe they just choose to be, but everyone is treated with respect and dignity whatever reason they’re there,” said Clare.

If you are interested in being a guest at White Christmas, or volunteering on the day email whitechristmasguests@gmail.com or whichristmasvolunteers@gmail.com or call the White Christmas management team on 07851 899587 or 07851 899586.