ORGANISERS behind a magical Christmas Day event in Ellesmere Port for care leavers in 2018 are planning to repeat the feat this year.

Following on from last year's success, the event is an opportunity for the community to create a family for care leavers between 18 and 27 and give them a Christmas they'll never forget.

And the search is now on for people and businesses in the community to get in touch to see how they can help make sure this Christmas will be one to remember for care leavers.

Last year, dozens of care leavers aged 18-27 enjoyed a full Christmas dinner at Whitby Hall, laid on by volunteers, and received gifts donated by members of the community.

The Christmas Dinner is not a charity or a Social Enterprise, nor an organisation.

It is a project organised entirely by an independent group of volunteers who arrange a venue, presents, a chef, food, transport, volunteers and often so much more — they create magic and memories on Christmas Day that will last a lifetime.

The event, which now runs nationally, was inspired by Manchester poet and broadcaster Lemn Sissay, who spent much of his childhood in care and recognised that young people who had been raised in foster care or care homes often lacked support once they left the care system aged 18.

Speaking about last year's Christmas Day event, care leaver Charlie said: "Some people would have had nothing today and I would have been one of them - unless this got organised! People who get nothing got looked after today."

Ellesmere Port Christmas Dinner volunteer Deborah added: "Helping to give the young people a Christmas Day where they felt valued and cared for was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had.

"Being able to give my time on this special day to those who might otherwise be alone is what the true spirit of Christmas is about and seeing the joy it brought is something I will never forget."

To find out how to help, search for 'Ellesmere Port Christmas dinner campaign' on Facebook, visit twitter.com/EPortXmasDinner or @EPortXmasDinner on Instagram. Alternatively, email ellesmereportxmasdinner@gmail.com.

Those wishing to donate can do so at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/ellesmere-port-care-leavers-christmas-dinner-2019-1, where thousands of pounds has already been raised, including a £2,000 donation.

There will also soon be the opportunity to buy a gift from the campaign's Amazon Wish List.