A group of kind hearted locals in a Kildare town came together yesterday afternoon to throw a dinner party for 60 people would have otherwise been alone on Christmas Day.
The Bridge Church in Celbridge hosted the fun-filled party for the guests, some of whom are alone, lonely, homeless or were without any close family to share the festive season with.
The event was a huge community effort that saw local businesses, charities and volunteers come together to give their guests a memorable Christmas Day.
Matt and Ellie Ryals came up with an idea to use their church as the venue.
They approached Paster Paul Carley who asked Clare and Matthew Black of Halo Café to help make the food.
Matthew told Dublin Live staff at the cafe jumped at the chance to help out on the day.
He said: "Many of the guests are struggling with homelessness, personal crisis and difficulty in celebrating when everyone else seems to be in high spirits.
"The party atmosphere was helped by Alex, a 14 year old member of the Magic Circle, who kept everyone entertained during the dinner.
"Traditional music during the meal was provided by Comhaltas Maynooth as well as Matt Ryals from the Bridge Church.
"Magician Alex and Jenny Black from Halo Café linked up for a couple of favorite tunes. Many of the guests joined in with the songs and carols.
"With so many people facing so many difficulties it was a pleasure to see so many smiling faces."
The event started with a mulled wine reception before Halo Café staff served up vegetable soup with brown bread, followed by a turkey and ham dinner and dessert options of pavlova, chocolate fudge cake and Christmas pudding.
All of the guests left with a bag of gifts, sweets and biscuits donated by the community.
Matthew added the response from locals had been "overwhelming" with people donating food or money or offering to give lifts to those who needed them.
Matt, Ellie, Clare and Matthew said they were so grateful for the help, donations and volunteers from Celbridge and beyond who made such a special day possible.
