On landing in Liverpool as a Londoner a wee while ago, it felt like many of my conversations with people whether in or away from business were somewhat ‘over familiar’.

By that I mean many people being more open with each other, supporting of each other and telling it straight!

The beauty of that shines through all year round in my Mersey circles and especially at Christmas.

I was with An Hour for Others (AFHO) earlier this week, a beautiful Liverpool charity dedicated to obtaining sponsorship from companies based locally, bursting with goodwill and providing children with hundreds of pounds worth of Christmas presents.

I witnessed all the tremendous hard work AHFO staff and volunteers, along with teams from QVC and the UK Home Office performed this week, wrapping presents donated by so many local and national brand retailers.

It’s been that culmination and combination of small and large companies alike that typify the spirit of this city.

Firms especially like Bruntwood with their generosity in donating space to AHFO make Liverpool an even better place.

Huge respect to Gillian Watkins Kevin Morland & Linzi Watkins for their unrelenting enthusiasm and passion to give and help others.

The charity’s motto reflects a recurring City of Liverpool anthem, Together We Are Strong.

Here’s to looking out even more for each other in 2026.

Follow AHFO on IG to get the full list of what so many Liverpudlians put into making this Christmas better for lots of young people in 2025.