I check with The Christmas Dinner referral team to see how many care leavers are confirmed. Twenty five. There’s space for 45.    I’m told an anxious young man has telephoned saying  he needed travel expenses to attend.    He wants to come to The Christmas Dinner but there’s  no-one to refer him. His situation is complicated.

Meanwhile I receive a message from someone I met at TEDx in Salford.  She told her friend about The Christmas Dinner. Her friend is a university student. He’s 300 miles from Manchester and a care leaver.  He wants to come to The Christmas Dinner but he has no one to refer him. His situation is complicated.

It’s the same young man. I know it.  I call The Christmas dinner  referral team.  They respond immediately.  He’s now confirmed.  And He’s happy.  He represents exactly what The Christmas Dinner is about.  We have places for forty five people in the North West. There’s about twenty places left .  Time is of the essence. If you are a care leaver or you want to refer a care leaver for The Christmas Dinner then write to Referrals  at  thechristmasdinner2013@gmail.com.   Ask any questions. We are happy to provide answers.  #TCD2013 Half the fun of the Christmas dinner is knowing you have somewhere great to go.