Helmsdale Community Christmas Dinner took place earlier this month at the Community Centre with more than 80 members of the local community enjoying a freshly cooked meal, carol singing and great company.

This year’s dinner was provided by the team behind our Dinner To Your Door service, which launched in September. Chef Margaret Finlayson, with her team of volunteer serving and waiting staff, had hot roast dinners in front of everyone in less than fifteen minutes and service of the Christmas pudding and Eton Mess desserts was equally efficient.

Wendy Simmonds, Project Lead for the Helmsdale Health and Well-being Hub, led the carol singing with glorious renditions of Silent Night, O Come All Ye Faithful and We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

Karina Ross, Social Programme Manager for our sister-company Creative Communities and organiser of the Community Christmas Dinner said “The event wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for our volunteers. Making sure everything went smoothly was a definite team effort. Everyone got stuck in and did what needed to be done. The feedback we got from people was fantastic.”

All proceeds from the raffle and additional donations on the night were split equally between Dinner To Your Door and the Helmsdale Christmas Lights Committee.

The celebration continued outside the Community Centre as the Sutherland School’s Pipe Band made their way along Dunrobin Street and gave an outstanding performance in the Helmsdale Community Centre car park. This was followed by the switching on of the Community Centre’s Christmas lights and a firework display wowed the crowds.