Cambridge Heath Salvation Army has cancelled its family Christmas fair, originally planned for 11 December, due to concern about the spread of the new variant, Omicron.
The fair aimed to raise awareness of the Salvation Army’s services.
It was an opportunity to “really connect with the community and to welcome them to the church and community centre building”, according to Lieutenant Gavin Dunn, the Church Minister and Leader of the Cambridge Heath branch.
The charity decided to avoid overcrowded areas to protect its elderly and vulnerable volunteers.
we believe that it was right to cancel the event
“With several of them, rightfully, now deciding not to come along on what could have been a busy day, we realise that we would now be unable to manage the event in a Covid secure right”, said Dunn.
“So that we can protect our team and so that we can do our part in protecting our local community, we believe that it was right to cancel the event.”
As the new leader of the church since July 2021, Lieutenant Dunn wanted to use this opportunity to get to know the local community and to assess its needs “coming out of the pandemic and into the future”.
Local groups including the Cocaine Addicts Anonymous group (CCA), Songbird Community Choir, a craft club, a lunch club for the elderly, a mental health support group and a toddler group had also planned to attend.
Lieutenant Dunn and his team are looking to plan an alternative community event in Summer 2022.
