The Oakham and Rutland community supports a range of local and national charities, and this Christmas is no exception, with local groups hosting a range of community focused events in aid of some much-loved and needed charities.

Kick things off this December with the NSPCC Christmas Carol Concert.

On Monday the 5th of December, support Rutland NSPCC as they aim to keep childhood free from abuse.

The NSPCC strives to do everything possible to protect children and prevent abuse, so if a law needs to change, or if more needs to be done to protect children, they demand it.

You can also take part in the Rutland NSPCC luxury hamper draw. Each £10 donation buys you 3 entry tickets.

Tickets are £15.

There is also a Christmas Concert in aid of Rutland Foodbank taking part in South Luffenham on Friday the 9th of December 2022.

Rutland Foodbank support help local people in food poverty, working 5 days a week to deliver food parcels to the Rutland community who need them.

Tickets are £10 and are available from Tracy Steward on 01780 729006 or [email protected].

On Saturday the 10th of December 2022, Pepper's - A Safe Place will be hosting their annual raffle and Christmas stall at the Saturday Oakham Market.

The team will be at the market from 8:30am until 2pm.

That evening, the 10th of December, the Victoria Hall Christmas Extravaganza will be supporting Rutland Girlguides.

Tickets cost £10 and are available from Kids and more, 9 Crown walk, Oakham or Oakham Town Council ROL House, Long Row, Oakham.

The event begins at 8pm at Victoria Hall, High Street, Oakham.

Next up we have the Big Book Swap which is going ahead on Sunday the 11th of December 2022, hosted by the Oakham Book Swap team on Tyne Road and supporting Rutland Foodbank, their charity of the month.

Books will be in the garage from 10.30am to 2.30pm - a smaller selection is available every day, weather permitting, on the corner of Avon Close and Tyne Road. See the Oakham Book Swap Facebook page for more details. 

The team will also have raffle tickets to win a bundle of festive treats, and a small selection of handmade gifts available to purchase, proceeds from which will also be donated to Rutland Food Bank.

On Sunday the 18th of December 2022, support the mental health charity Mind by attending the Rutland Water Charity Santa Bike Ride.

Attendees will meet at Specialized Rutland Water and cycle to Rutland Cycling Whitwell, enjoy some warm drinks and mince pies, they'll be treats for the kids too, and then we'll have a steady pedal back to Normanton. The ride is a total distance of 8 miles at a steady pace along the traffic-free cycle route by the reservoir.

All ages and abilities are welcome.

This event costs £5 per family and all proceeds will go to Mind Nottingham.