Daisy Group founder spreads Christmas cheer around Burnley and Pendle

The Daisy Group chairman and founder Matthew Riley utilised the services of Daisy’s catering manager Tony Black, who prepared and donated 150 portions of Christmas dinner and Christmas pudding on Christmas Eve to Charter House Burnley and Nelson Community Centre to wish the people of East Lancashire a merry Christmas.

A week later, hot pies and chicken broth were on the menu for the local homeless community which were served personally by Tony, as well as Matthew’s brother, Daisy Corporate Services’ public sector sales director Andy Riley, and Matthew’s nephew Thomas Riley.

Matthew said: “Christmas is the season of giving and goodwill. I think most of us will admit to needing that extra bit of cheer after a year that’s seen many dramatic changes and has required us all to adapt, and I’m delighted that Daisy has been able to reach those most at need in the local community at what can be a particularly difficult time of year.

It’s really reassuring to know that many businesses and individuals play their part in donating to local food banks or supporting local charities and initiatives, in order to keep vital services operating. I would like to ask our community to offer additional support at this difficult time to these charities by donating food if they possibly can, every little helps. I would like to say thank you to Annette from PDS CNC Engineering for her contribution and support over the Christmas holiday and to Tony Black for his support last year to make this possible.”

The group was also joined by Annette Weekes of PDS CNC Engineering in Nelson who donated additional funds in support of both Christmas initiatives and whose contribution also allowed for an additional 50 goodie bags containing sweets, cake, crisps and drinks to be given to the homeless community last week.

This latest course of meals follows more than eight months’ provision of 500 meals a week to local food banks during what has been a challenging year for many people. Daisy Group, which celebrates its 20th birthday this year, has strong community links having started out in Nelson in 2001 and employs 500 people at its head office on the Lomeshaye Industrial Estate.

According to the Trussell Trust, the charity that supports a national network of food banks, its end of year stats show a staggering 1.9 million three-day emergency food supplies have been distributed with the North West being the region with the biggest need with 252,162 parcels.