A Solihull mother is embarking on a monumental festive mission, preparing 108 full Christmas dinners for people in her community who might otherwise go without a proper meal on 25 December.
Amanda O’Neill, 42, has been running the heartfelt initiative for four years, driven by a simple belief: “Everybody deserves a full tum on Christmas Day.” What began as a small act of kindness has now blossomed into a large-scale community operation, earning her the affectionate local nickname 'the Christmas dinner lady'.
A Legacy of Kindness Sparked by Friendship
The project's roots trace back to Amanda's move to Solihull, where she formed a close bond with her neighbour, Elaine. Elaine encouraged her to teach her children that Christmas was about more than presents. Their first joint act was rallying the community to help a struggling single father provide gifts for his children.
Tragically, Elaine passed away unexpectedly in December 2015 after battling COPD. Amanda described the loss as “horrendous” but was determined to honour her friend's spirit by continuing their festive support. This year, she decided to mark 10 years since Elaine’s passing by preparing 108 meals, a significant increase from the 65 served last year.
By the end of this festive season, Amanda will have delivered more than 220 dinners to people across Solihull since she started.
The Well-Oiled Festive Operation
Amanda personally organises the entire endeavour from her home kitchen, with a dedicated team of volunteers assisting with preparation and delivery. She uses local community platforms to discreetly identify those in need, with roughly a quarter of recipients found this way.
Preserving anonymity and dignity for recipients is a top priority; only Amanda and a few trusted volunteers know who is receiving a dinner.
The community's support is phenomenal. “Our local butcher contacted me and they’re supplying the meat for the dinner,” Amanda said. “People bring chocolates, advent calendars, vegetables, everything.” She also sources food donations via sharing apps and community networks.
On Christmas Eve, she prepares the meat, gravy, stuffing balls, and Yorkshire puddings. Christmas morning starts at dawn. After her own family opens presents, Amanda assembles the meals in large roasting tins so recipients can choose their preferred items.
Teaching Generosity to the Next Generation
Amanda’s children, aged 16 and 13, actively help with the food. She notes the experience is “eye-opening for them, and it humbles them every year” to see their own fortune and the reality for others.
After delivering the final meal, Amanda takes a poignant moment for reflection. “I’ll either have a beer or a glass of Elaine’s favourite wine, toast it to the sky, and then I’ll cry, because we’ve done it.”
She hopes her project inspires similar efforts elsewhere, encouraging people to “cook that little bit extra and find someone out in the community.” For Amanda, the mission is clear: ensure no one feels alone at Christmas.
“Reach out to someone and make them feel that, one day a year, you are loved, you are cared for, and you deserve a nice Christmas,” she said. With plans to collaborate with local charities, Amanda dreams of making the initiative “bigger and bigger” in the years to come.
