20 Dec 2024
For the third year in a row, the sound of bells can be heard jingling across Marshalswick, heralding the return of a much-loved festive tradition.
Self-professed “runner, mum and lover of fun” Anna Bassil has once again donned her green tunic, stripey leggings and pointed hat to become the Marshalswick Elf, festive fundraiser extraordinaire.
She is again backing St Albans Action for Homeless – supporting local street sleepers by providing hot meals and distributing essentials and toiletries – and St Albans Community Pantry, rescuing and redistributing supermarket food to those in need.
Continuing her daily 5K jogs through the streets surrounding The Quadrant and beyond was inevitable, she revealed.
“When I first did it, the response was just amazing, so I thought, well I can’t not do it the next year. But I think Sharon [Linney, one of the driving forces behind St Albans Action for Homeless] had already started tagging me on social media posts at the beginning of November, saying ‘look out for the Marshalswick Elf’, so here I am again.
“I mean, it’s so nice, it’s great raising awareness for the charities and doing good in that respect, but it also brings a lot of Christmas cheer.
“It’s cute seeing the little kids’ faces – I was asked this morning if I was one of Santa’s real elves.”
Her average day usually involves heading out during the school run and trying to cover Wheatfields, Skyswood and St John Fisher schools, occasionally managing Bernards Heath as well, but there are times when she has to fit around her day job so is up before it gets light, when it’s just a few dog walkers and waste collection workers out and about.
Anna also has to move her mini-elf, who can be found at different locations around the area with a daily request for food donations, and also finds time to visit places associated with the different charities.
“On Friday I hopped down to Jersey Farm Community Centre where the pantry were running one of their brunches and play sessions.”
She’s also been seen taking part in Jersey Farm parkrun and joining Santa on the Round Table float, but always makes sure to complete her annual 5K and continue raising awareness of the Reverse Advent Calendar.
The idea behind this initiative is that people donate a specified item from a list each day, either by creating a box of all 24 items themselves, or dropping individual items at communal collection points: EYES On St Albans and Nadya Giffen Therapies at The Quadrant.
The reaction to seeing Anna out running is always extremely positive: “I get lots of big waves, toots of the horns and smiles as I run past. People feed back and say ‘We love seeing the elf and what you’re doing’.
“Then I head home and get rid of the pink cheeks and the green eyeshadow ready for work calls!”
One thing she is keen to stress is how much of a team effort it is. We couldn’t do it without people like Jez [Levy of EYES on St Albans] and Nadya [Giffen Therapies] giving up their space, the people donating, and the people actually volunteering and doing the work of the charities.
“There’s the Community Pantry doing their rescuing, their community fridge, the events, the brunches. They do so many things to make sure that food doesn’t go to waste and is used by people who really need it.
“And then obviously Action for Homeless doing everything they do, whether it be the hot meals on Friday and Saturday nights, or providing information to people both on the streets and also to those more vulnerable people who really need help.
“I’ve been blown away by people’s generosity. Both charities really rely on those monetary donations as well as food donations to ensure they can operate throughout the year.”
So how does it feel to become a tradition? “I have to say, every year I get a wonderful feeling as December comes along. I really do enjoy it! By this time of the month the legs are starting to feel tired and I do start to think, ‘Why do I set myself up for these things?’, but you try and stop me! I’ll definitely be doing it every year now.”
EYES on St Albans luminary Jez Levy said: “This is our fourth year of collecting food stuffs at EYES for the Action for Homeless reverse advent calender, and how it has changed and grown!
“The original remit was to drop a single item in the box each day, this has now turned into whole families delivering every item on the list in one hit, simply outstanding. The donations have been so overwhelming in quantity this year, the total amount delivered so far would have filled the total floor area of the shop.
“The donations of both food and money going to our dedicated St Albans charities Community Pantry and Action for Homeless have been unprecedented of which we ALL thank our stunning community – thank you from all of us to ALL of you!”
Nadya added: “Charity work and supporting my local community is really important to me. No one has had an easy time of it and at this time of year people really feel the pinch.
“What started as a small collection turned in to a rather large one asthe donations keep coming in. I am always in awe of everyone’s generosity and willingness to help.
“Being visited by the Marshalwick Elf has been super and has definitely brought a lot more awareness of these two amazing charities, and I couldn’t resist dressing up as an elf with the wonderful Anna!”
Sharon Linney from St Albans Action for Homeless said: “December is all about thinking about others and Nadya, Jez and Anna have certainly done that by highlighting two charities and opening up their businesses to collect food items to pass on to families we support.
“Anna’s daily run spreads cheer and again highlights our reverse advent calendar. The kindness of our St Albans community is so valuable to us and we can never thank you all enough.”
Raihaanah Ahmed from St Albans Community Pantry said: “Anna, Jez and Nadya have truly encapsulated the spirit of community with their incredible generosity. They have worked tirelessly to collate donations that have helped us ensure our emergency food aid boxes contain special items for the most vulnerable residents.
“We have been overwhelmed by their creativity and commitment.
“We’ll be sharing some of the treats at our community festive meals including on Christmas Day at our festive lunch at Sandridge Village Hall.
“Final and biggest thanks goes to all who have taken the time to drop off donations, every item has been so gratefully received.
“We have children eagerly waiting at the door to receive the goodies, your donations have added so much festive cheer. Thank you!
“We are still looking for help over the festive season, please check our Facebook on how to sign up to be part of the volunteers team.”
You can support Anna’s efforts via two different JustGiving pages:
www.justgiving.com/page/themarshalswickelf-actionforhomeless
www.justgiving.com/page/themarshalswickelf-communitypantry
And you can also follow the Marshalswick Elf at https://www.facebook.com/groups/455372716733698/
