The first Christmas delivery that started it all
Every family The Greenaway Foundation helps today can be traced back to one first Christmas delivery.
In a chance conversation, a school counsellor made Darren Greenaway aware of a young lady who was potentially going to be spending Christmas alone. Wanting to make a difference in the local community, Darren decided to try and make things a little better for her.
So on Christmas Eve 2011 he turned up with all the ingredients the family would need to cook a two course Christmas dinner, and some gifts.
That young lady was Tiffany. At a recent charity event, she spoke about that first Christmas delivery and what it meant to her. Here is her story in her own words. We could not be prouder of her.
Tiffany's story, in her own words
When I was about 15 years old, Darren delivered me a Christmas dinner. The first Christmas dinner that induced the birth of The Greenaway Foundation which now selflessly delivers Christmas dinners to hundreds of families each year.
I want to share some of my early life experiences with you and share with you just why this act of kindness and generosity was so important, and exactly how impactful this was.
Life at home wasn’t always easy, to be precise it wasn’t easy at all. My mother was a single mother, a drug addict, an alcoholic and regularly found herself in abusive relationships with many different men.
My brother and I found ourselves fending for ourselves, often with very little sustenance, provision or supervision. Even if she had the capacity too, living below the poverty line meant that giving us even just enough was an almighty task for my mother. We were often left without basic necessities, let alone a full Christmas dinner.
I remember being surprised by the offer of this gift from Darren. I had been let down by many services throughout my childhood and if felt unusual and unfamiliar to trust this generosity from a stranger. Let alone slightly embarrassing as a stubborn 15 year old adolescent.
I was even more surprised when Darren arrived at my door on Christmas eve 14 years ago with a large box in hand containing everything one would need to enjoy a lavish and luxurious Christmas dinner. I was overwhelmed with emotion and complete gratitude. The food was enough and the bottle of perfume, Davidoff Cool Water if I remember correctly, was beyond enough.
This experience was a turning point in my life. Although I had many challenges left to face, I felt hopeful, seen and validated. This single act of kindness gave me hope and vision for a better future.
I stand here today, successful. I am now 26 years old. I am happy, healthy and lead a fulfilling life surrounded by positivity, support and motivation.
I work now for a charity myself, supporting, rehabilitating, treating and caring for children with severe and complex early life trauma. Very soon I will complete my practitioners diploma in child and adolescent psychotherapy and then I will move onto my master’s degree.
It is my aim and ultimate goal to continue supporting and guiding children and young people in knowing that they are more than the hand of cards dealt to them, to see their worth and capability and to motivate them to achieve something better for themselves. Offering the same support, guidance and hope that The Greenaway foundation gave me all those years ago.
Darren, I am eternally grateful to you, for you dedication and commitment to the hundreds you help each year and I look forward to continuing to support your efforts in years to come.
Thank you.
Tiffany
From the first Christmas delivery to thousands of families
That first Christmas delivery to Tiffany was the start of everything. Since then, The Greenaway Foundation has provided Christmas dinners to over 7,000 families and delivered festive gifts to more than 12,000 children, working with schools, social services and other charities to reach families who fly under the radar of formal help.
This Christmas we aim to feed 1,200 families and make 4,000 children’s wishes come true across much of Surrey, Sussex and Kent. You can follow our progress on our Christmas 2026 page.
Today, Tiffany is one of our ambassadors, sharing her story to inspire donors, sponsors and volunteers. You can read more about her journey in Ambassador Tiffany Jacobsen.
How families are nominated for a Christmas delivery
Just like Tiffany, the families we help are referred to us by people who know them. Every Christmas delivery starts with a nomination from a family nominator, such as a school, a charity, a health visitor, a social worker or a doctors’ surgery.
We never take nominations directly from families. If you are a family who needs a little extra help this Christmas, please ask a professional who knows you, such as your child’s school, to nominate you.
Each child in a nominated family can receive a wish: a specific present they have asked for, chosen just for them.
How you can help with this year's Christmas deliveries
There are lots of ways to get involved. You can volunteer as an elf in the run up to Christmas, help wrap presents at Santa’s Workshop in December, or become a reindeer and help with Christmas Eve deliveries across much of Surrey, Sussex and Kent.
Local businesses can also sponsor items for the Christmas dinners, helping us make sure every family on our list has everything they need for the big day.
Help us make the next Christmas delivery
Every donation, however small, helps us deliver a Christmas dinner and presents to a local family who needs a little extra help, just like that very first Christmas delivery did for Tiffany.
Since 2011, the first Christmas delivery has shaped everything we do: a knock on the door, a warm meal on the table and the feeling of being truly seen.
About The Greenaway Foundation
The Greenaway Foundation is a UK registered charity and is the charitable side of Greenaway Residential Estate Agents, which donates over 10% of all profits to the charity.
