A mother from Solihull is spending her Christmas ensuring more than 100 people in her community enjoy a festive feast, driven by the belief that everyone deserves a full tum on Christmas Day.
A Promise Born from Friendship and Loss
Amanda O'Neill, 42, has been providing Christmas dinners for four years. This year, she will cook for 108 people, bringing her total to over 220 meals delivered since she began. Her mission started after a conversation with her neighbour, Elaine, about teaching her children the true spirit of Christmas generosity.
When Elaine mentioned a lone parent struggling to afford presents, Amanda sprang into action to collect gifts. Tragically, Elaine passed away unexpectedly from COPD on 16 December 2015. Despite her grief, Amanda honoured her promise to help the family. The overwhelming support from her colleagues, who filled her car with toys, cemented her resolve. "I decided I'm going to do this every year, for her," Amanda said.
From Food Parcels to Full Home-Cooked Feasts
Amanda initially provided ingredients for people to cook themselves. However, with the onset of the energy and cost of living crises, she realised many faced a stark 'heat or eat' choice and couldn't afford to cook for hours. She then began cooking complete meals from her own kitchen in north Solihull, earning the local nickname "the Christmas dinner lady".
The operation has grown significantly each year:
- 2021: 15 meals
- 2022: 35 meals
- 2024: 65 meals
- 2025: 108 meals (marking 10 years since Elaine's passing)
She uses community platforms like Nextdoor and Olio to find recipients and gather food donations, while a team of volunteer 'elves' handles deliveries. Anonymity for recipients is paramount.
A Community Comes Together on Christmas Day
The effort is a true community collaboration. Local butcher B&M Meats Birmingham supplies the meat, while others donate vegetables, chocolates, and advent calendars. Amanda prepares everything in her family kitchen, with volunteers helping to prep vegetables and lending slow cookers.
On Christmas Eve, she preps the meat, gravy, stuffing, and Yorkshire puddings. Come Christmas Day, she's up at dawn to assemble the meals into disposable tins after her own family's celebrations. Her children, aged 16 and 13, also help, gaining a valuable perspective on their own fortune. "It humbles them every year," Amanda shared.
When the last dinner is delivered, she toasts her late friend Elaine with her favourite wine. "I am proud to be part of this community because of how it comes together," she said, acknowledging that the project relies entirely on people's kindness.
Amanda hopes her work inspires others to start similar initiatives, emphasising that "this isn't the end, this is just the beginning." She plans to partner with local charities to grow the project and urges people to reach out to someone lonely this Christmas to show them they are loved and cared for.
