In a heartwarming display of community spirit, residents of Canada Road in the Gabalfa area of Cardiff have raised more than £700 for a vital local charity by transforming their street into a festive spectacle.
A Walk-Through Advent Calendar for a Cause
This is the second year the street has run an Advent Windows Project, but the first time it has been used as a fundraiser. The initiative has turned Canada Road into a walk-through Advent calendar, with one or two houses unveiling unique festive displays in their front windows each day in the run-up to Christmas.
Planning began back in October, when residents voted to support Cardiff Foodbank. This charity, part of the Trussell Trust network, provides emergency food and support to people facing crisis in the city.
Schools and Businesses Join the Festive Effort
The project has blossomed into a true community collaboration. It is supported by local businesses and St Monica’s Church in Wales Primary School, which recently moved to a location at the end of the road.
The first window, launched on December 1, was a joint creation by pupils from St Monica’s and Morgans Consult, a local signage and branding specialist. Other local enterprises like Cant a Mil Bookshop are also involved.
Organiser Nic Humphries expressed his delight: "We weren’t sure how effective a project like this would be, but we have been amazed by people’s generosity. Every day there is something new to look forward to."
Raising Funds and Awareness for a Vital Service
The windows will remain on display until Twelfth Night (Monday, January 5, 2026). Each participating house displays a QR code linking to the project's JustGiving page, allowing passers-by to donate easily.
Rachel Biggs, CEO of Cardiff Foodbank, said: "This is such a lovely community-led fundraiser; we’re really grateful for all the donations." She highlighted the ongoing need, noting that last winter the foodbank provided enough food for 47,907 meals, with more than half of the recipients being children.
The project aims not only to raise funds but also to raise awareness that support is available for local families in difficulty.
Head Teacher Abigail Cuthbert of St Monica’s said the school was "very happy to get involved and help our new neighbours support Cardiff Foodbank and the wonderful services it provides."
Meanwhile, Mike Kitchin, Managing Director at Morgans Consult, praised the community effort: "Seeing residents, schools and local businesses come together to bring a little extra Christmas warmth to the local area, while raising vital funds, has been amazing to see."
