A magical tradition continues as The Birley Clubs and The Caring Family Foundation unite to help children facing food insecurity this festive season.
The Dorchester Ballroom was transformed into a scene of pure enchantment this weekend as The Birley Clubs and The Caring Family Foundation (TCFF) welcomed guests to the second annual Festive Wonderland — a celebration rich in joy, purpose and philanthropy. Well-known supporters including Katie Piper, Jimmy Carr, Zara Martin, Clara Paget, Alexandra Burke, and Richard and Patricia Caring gathered for an afternoon dedicated to raising vital support for children and families experiencing food insecurity across the UK.
At the heart of the event was TCFF’s determination to create a world free from hunger, harm and hurt — a mission rooted in the foundation’s origins. Established in 2019 by Richard and Patricia Caring, TCFF now stands as a major force for positive change both in the UK and Brazil, delivering impact across three key pillars: ensuring children have access to nutritious meals, supporting women affected by domestic abuse, and protecting rainforest communities through large-scale reforestation.
To date, the foundation has distributed more than 3.5 million meals, delivered over 38,000 domestic abuse services, and planted 3.7 million trees as part of Brazil’s reforestation efforts — establishing itself as one of the UK’s largest private contributors to environmental regeneration.
Led by the artistic vision of The Birley Clubs’ Creative Director Tatiana Kharchylava, the Dorchester Ballroom underwent a breathtaking transformation. Guests stepped through its doors into a shimmering winter fantasy: a hand-crafted gingerbread village, a lifesize animatronic polar bear, dancing elves, and an array of festive crafts filled the space with Christmas wonder. Families moved through the spectacle with wide-eyed delight, knowing that every moment of magic also served a profound purpose.
With 100% of ticket sales directly supporting TCFF’s work, each guest contributed the equivalent of 378 meals for children and families in need. Many also arrived bearing gifts for the pupils of Surrey Square Primary School in South London where TCFF will host a festive celebration on 4 December complete with entertainment, activities and nourishing lunches from Bill’s.
This year’s Festive Wonderland also marked the launch of TCFF’s 2025 Food From the Heart campaign. Recognising that the festive season can deepen the challenges of food insecurity, TCFF has pledged to provide over 500,000 meals across London throughout 2025 and 2026, working closely with The Felix Project, the capital’s largest food redistribution charity. By the end of 2026, the foundation will have provided more than four million meals since 2020.
The foundation’s commitment extends beyond emergency support. Through its Surrey Square Marketplace, TCFF offers families a dignified, welcoming space to access nourishing food and essential items. Buoyed by its success, the initiative will expand to three additional London schools in 2026, deepening community resilience and providing families with the stability and confidence they need to thrive.
The challenges facing the Surrey Square community remain significant, 84% of families are among the most income-deprived in the UK, 25% live in temporary accommodation, and more than 5% have No Recourse to Public Funds. For these children, the festive celebration TCFF brings each year is more than a party, it is a moment of joy and belonging.
Together with volunteers from the Caring family’s hospitality group, Bill’s, and The Birley Clubs, TCFF will fill the school with festive magic: character visits, creative workshops, games, and a warming lunch prepared with love. These moments, TCFF believes, can shape childhood memories and nurture a sense of community that lasts far beyond the holidays.
As the festive season begins, The Caring Family Foundation invites the public to join their mission to alleviate hunger, uplift families and spark joy where it is needed most. Every act of generosity strengthens TCFF’s vision of a world where all children and women are free from hunger, harm and hurt — and where families can flourish with dignity, support and opportunity.
