Plymouth people invited to send free Christmas card to elderly this year

Plymouth people are being called on to help spread festive cheer in the community this festive season. Drake Circus and The Barcode have teamed up with Age UK Plymouth to launch a 'Merry Mailbox' Christmas initiative.

It will see the charity collect heartfelt Christmas cards and distribute them to older members of the community over the festive period.

Drake Circus has worked with local Arts University Plymouth alumna and Creative Conscience Award Winning illustrator Zara McDermott to create two bespoke festive card designs for the initiative, and the centre is asking visitors to collect a card free of charge from the specially installed 'Merry Mailbox', write their warm wishes and post it in the post box located in the main atrium of the shopping centre.

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Greg Lumley, centre director at Drake Circus and The Barcode, said: “While Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year for many of us, sadly for some in our community it can feel isolating.

“It’s our visitors who make Christmas so special for us here at Drake Circus, so we know we can count on them to spread some festive cheers for those who need it most. We hope our ‘Merry Mailbox’ will help to bring a few more smiles over the seasonal period and make sure no one feels alone.”

Tara Dale, Head of Fundraising at Age UK Plymouth, added: “Christmas is a time of joy and celebration, but we know it can also be a tough time for many in our Plymouth community who feel more isolated than ever.

"We are delighted to be partnering with Drake Circus, working on the ‘Merry Mailbox’ initiative, sharing cards and reminding those who are struggling that they are not alone. We’d love to encourage all to get involved as the small but thoughtful gesture of a card can go a long way in brightening someone’s day this Christmas.”

Cards can be posted into the special post box located in the Atrium outside of Pandora – from now until Monday, December 10, when they will be distributed via Age UK Plymouth to local residents to arrive in plenty of time for Christmas.

For a full list of Christmas events and to plan your festive day out at Drake Circus and The Barcode, please visit https://www.drakecircus.com/christmas