28 Dec 2025
The spirit of generosity and community has been shining brightly in St Albans this Christmas, with an overwhelming response to the city’s annual Reverse Advent Calendar in support of two vital local charities.
The calendar encourages people to 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.
Throughout December an overwhelming amount of donations were deposited at Eyes on St Albans and Nadya Giffen Therapies at The Quadrant in Marshalswick for those in need over the festive season and beyond.
The beneficiaries were 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.
Meanwhile the Marshalswick Elf, aka Anna Bassil, was pounding the pavements to raise funds and awareness for the two charities, covering a minimum 5K a day from December 1 to Christmas Eve for the fourth consecutive year.
We caught up with her a few days before wrapping up this year’s campaign to see how it has gone.
“Midway into my run on 1st December for Day 1 of my 2025 Marshalswick Elf Challenge it was raining and windy and I thought to myself, ‘oh God, what have I done, I have another 23 days of this still to do!’
“However just like the past three years, I was quickly reminded exactly why I do it – the joy on people’s faces (adults as well as children) when they see an elf running past, and more importantly the amazing generosity of everyone in our community.
“Donations have been coming into EYES on St Albans and Nadya Giffen Therapies and we have been able to start distributing the donated items in the boxes that go out from the community pantry to the vulnerable people who these charities support.
“I have had many comments from people that see me including ‘Santa went that way’ and [Have you lost Santa?’ as well as people commenting that they love seeing me every year. One lady even pulled over in her car to say she’s looked out for me every year and finally this year she has seen me!
“Aside from the serious note of raising awareness and donations (food, essentials and monetary) I love to be able to spend some festive cheer, doing my best to coincide my runs with when children are walking to school, and having some cheeky and fun moments with our local businesses and other people I pass by.
“This year I’ve had selfies with our school crossing patrols, checked out the daily items in a local supermarket, tried on glasses in EYES on, bounced on beds and helped to lay a brick wall just to name a few!
“Oh and I even had a massage from a fellow elf at Nadya Giffen Therapies!
“Friday was the last day of school for many, so the elf hitched a ride on a reindeer and was joined by a friend!
“My legs and body are certainly starting to feel tired and this year has definitely been mostly wet, cold and windy but I will still be out every day until Christmas Eve. If you have seen me, hopefully I have made you smile, but more importantly I hope it has made you consider donating to support these amazing charities.”
The other organisations involved in the campaign also offered their thoughts.
Jez Levy from EYES on St Albans said: “Yet another year of our community pulling out the stops to show their support for those in a tricky financial situation.
“All these donations go some way to assist in reducing food insecurity, most especially at this festive time of year.
“Thank you to each and every one who has either donated cash or dropped in food hampers, what a fantastic job by all involved with the efforts of St Albans Action for Homeless and The Community Pantry…
“We continue to collect until the end of the year! Thanks again.”
Sharon Linney from St Albans Action for Homeless said: “When I started the Reverse Advent I never realised the impact it would have on the recipients. December is a joyous month but for many it’s about juggling the bills, buying presents they can’t afford and overstretching their finances. So a box full of everyday essentials and some Christmas extras makes a huge difference.
“We hope we will continue this initiative for years to come.”
Raihaanah Ahmed of St Albans Community Pantry said: “We would like to thank everyone who has been remarkably generous with supporting the reverse calendar this year.
“A special mention for our collection point hosts – Jez and Nadya – who have so graciously collated the items in their festively adorned stores. This really is a community drive.
“Anna the Marshalswick Elf has always been amazing in spreading the word and Christmas cheer and we are so grateful to have her tireless support and her ongoing championship of St Albans Community Pantry. Anna has been braving the cold mornings, busy roads and joining local runs to promote our cause – we are truly indebted to Anna.
“All our volunteers are unpaid and it’s based on everyone’s goodwill and big hearts; so every pound Anna has raised will go towards supporting 600 people a week – what may seem like small change can have a huge impact. Thank you!”
Nadya Giffen of Nadya Giffen Therapies added: “Our annual collection for Action for Homeless and the Community Pantry got off to a slow start but with lots of constant social media posts and help from the St Albans Times and our lovely Marshalswick Elf Anna, donations have been pouring in. We are deeply thankful to our community for all the generous donations.”
You can still donate to this year’s Marshalswick Elf JustGiving pages:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/themarshalswickelf-communitypantry
https://www.justgiving.com/page/themarshalswickelf-actionforhomeless
Anna explained how your money can help:
- For just £4 we can pay for a meal deal (Tesco, Greggs, Sainsbury’s etc);
- For just £12 we can buy a lightweight Eurohike sleeping bag;
- For just £21 we can buy a hooded sleeping bag;
- For just £30 we can provide cooked meals for 70 people a day;
- For just £40 we can buy a winter sleeping bag;
- For just £50 we can provide 600 people with access to an advocacy helpine;
- For just £60 we can put someone in a hotel in extreme weather conditions or if they are ill.
- For just £65 we can provide food aid for 150 people a week.
