Lucille Treasure at the Robert Morton House sheltered housing block

THE support and generosity has been breathtaking, a life-affirming measure of the community spirit which has always been treasured Camden.

We probably shouldn’t have expected anything less.

Over the past week, the New Journal has been delivering hampers to people who were at risk of feeling isolated this Christmas and those who have faced extreme hardship.

As we say every year, it’s a way of showing that this borough is a place where its residents care about each other.

This year we have also handed the gift boxes to organisations who can reach the vulnerable and pass on the hampers, as together we face our most bewildering festive season.

Never have we wanted our loved ones closer, and yet we learned once again at the weekend that we must stay safely apart.

The hamper drops, all done safely and with social distancing in mind, were only made possible due to the donations – big and small – of our readers.

They may not be the antidote to everybody’s problems but at least they raised a smile everywhere we stopped. We will be explaining how we spread a bit of cheer this week over these next few editions and printing the names of everybody who has contributed.

On one delivery, we met with staff from the Aisling: Return To Ireland project, a charity that for three decades have offered support to older Irish people living in London. Many elders in Camden’s Anglo-Irish community, despite their hard work and contribution to Camden’s rich cultural history, have fallen on hard times.

The Aisling project was set up in res­ponse to a wave of home­lessness that hit the Irish community in the 1980s and 1990s.

Alex McDonnell and Mary Leyne from Aisling Return To Ireland Project

Project co-ordinator Alex McDonnell said: “It was a crisis – no doubt about it. Around 40 per cent of London’s homeless were Irish. There was a lot of living on the streets or in hostels. Our plan was to take them back home and help them get in touch with their families.”

Established 26 years ago, they currently support around 300 older people.

Mr McDonnell said: “We have had a lot of new referrals. We have seen the depth of suffer­ing people face and the help they need. We are grateful for the support of the New Journal and all your readers, and companies like Murphy’s who have helped you and so many others step up and show that the people of Camden really do care for each other.”

We also popped into Rose Bush Court in Belsize Park to visit some of the residents of a sheltered housing block – and pass on the seasonal cheer with a delivery of the hampers.

One resident, Pam Morgan, who received a hamper, is well known in Kentish Town as a foster parent – and because she lived in a house in the Prince of Wales Road Baths for 40 years, where her husband David was the manager. More than 50 people live at Rose Bush Court.

Manager Fatima Williams told the New Journal how they have been looking out for each other over the pandemic – and remembering others. A knitting group has been hard at work making items for families who have become refugees.

Mrs Williams said: “It has been hard for us, as we usually run lots of activities. Having our garden has helped a bit – it has meant people can visit. We are very grateful for the help and kindness shown by the readers of the New Journal.”

Our delivery route criss-crossing Camden also took us to South Kilburn’s sheltered housing block Robert Morton House, where a van load of contributions were gratefully received.

Manager Lucille Treasure said: “We’d like to wish the readers of the New Journal a happy and peaceful Christmas, and thank you for your support.”

We have also dropped cheques off at community centres and food hubs that have been helping get people meals during the pandemic.

Rose Bush Court residents Pamela Roberts and Pauline Sharmain with manager Fatima Williams

The New Journal has got to know many of the volunteers over the last nine months due to our Food Aid Van project.

On Friday, Holborn and St Pancras MP Sir Keir Starmer helped play delivery boy as he helped the distribution of the hampers. “

The CNJ has come together with so many people week in, week out, through 2020 – and it is great to see how our community has stepped up,” he said.

“The one thing we can hold on to is that willingness, that empathy, to help others. It is inspiring – but it also shows how desperately fundamental change is needed. We should not be in this position.”

Holborn and St Pancras MP Sir Keir Stamer helps with deliveries

He added: The need for food banks shows a structural problem in our society that we must deal with. We are very proud of our community in Camden, and it is very humbling to see what the New Journal and others do.”

Next week, we will tell you about how we helped the community centre hubs that have formed amid the virus pandemic to support those struggling to access food.

Builders’ super donation

SANTA’S elves do not always wear funny hats – but in Kentish Town, they certainly come in green. This year, building firm Murphy – famous for their emerald-coloured trucks and vans ­– donated a substantial sum of money to our annual hamper fund.

Staff also found the time to put together 70 bags packed with vital Christmas groceries for the Kentish Town Community Centre.

The team, pictured above, has always gone the extra mile to help the New Journal each year – and in 2020, they have given an unimaginable amount of help to thousands of people by providing transport for our food aid van.

Murphy’s Julie Palmer said: “We are always happy to do our bit and help the New Journal to help others.”

We thank them for their support!