Horses at Stepney Bank are gathering around the stable this festive season to enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner courtesy of JR Holland Food Services.
The North East foodservice provider has been delivering free fruit and vegetables to the community stables since March 2009 and as a special seasonal treat, Stepney Bank’s 25 working horses will be enjoying a very special Christmas lunch consisting of carrots, parsnips, broccoli and turnips.
Dennis Hutchinson, managing director of JR Holland Food Services, said: “Christmas is the time of goodwill and as the horses at Stepney Bank Stables work so hard throughout the year, it’s only right that they get a reward for all the joy they bring to the community by joining in the festive spirit and indulging in a good old-fashioned Christmas dinner.”
Based in Newcastle’s Ouseburn Valley, Stepney Bank Stables is a charitable organisation in which horses are used to motivate, educate and pass on key social skills to disadvantaged and hard-to-reach groups.
As part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy, JR Holland supports the project with weekly fresh produce donations that help to care of the animals that are used to reach out and engage the local community.
Stepney Bank is one of three CSR initiatives supported by JR Holland, including Children North East, where it supports several projects throughout the region, and Clarence’s Community Farm in Stockton.
