Christmas joy is needed now more than ever, says a Kirkby man who has been braving the cold weather to spread joy.
For the last three years, Franny Briggs, Jay Murray and Andrea Roberts have been meeting up to bring the Kirkby Christmas Crusade to the town in the hopes of making people smile. It has since grown from strength the strength and now, with 8,000 selection boxes to hand out, the team are back this weekend.
Despite initial concerns over the cost of living crisis, which is forcing families to choose between heating or eating, Franny said the support has been incredible so far.
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He told the ECHO: "We visit routes in Kirkby and a care home as well. Seeing people's faces in windows or on the streets, it makes you cry every year. It has me in tears.
"This year we are doing Thursday to Saturday and the local council and police are behind us. It's an unreal feeling you get. You're on a high all night. Me and Jay are the naughty elves and we do things off the cuff, we will jump off the sleigh and do things like run into the local chippy but it's great fun and has everyone laughing.
"We were initially worried with the cost of living crisis so we said even if people could donate just one selection box that would be enough but everyone has got behind us again. All Kirkby schools have donated and businesses and residents, the community has really pulled together.
"If ever there was time for Christmas joy, it's now. Me, Jay and Andrea, we started this three years ago because it was a bad time and we wanted to cheer people up and last year we got more routes and mascots on board and everyone is excited.
"Last year we had 7,000 selection boxes to give out and this year we have 8,000 so any left over we will do a special visit to Alder Hey. It really is community built. We have Colin Fulton who is Santa.
"Target Scaffolding donate the sleigh every year, businesses give us selection boxes. The whole community comes out to support. It's great."
The freezing weather conditions have not put the Kirkby Christmas Crusade team off though as they are set in their ways to bring about as much festive joy as they can. More information about the crusade this weekend can be found here.
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