Peter Waddup, CEO - The Leprosy Mission Great Britain

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While the year has flown by, the run-up to Christmas, although hugely enjoyable, can seem long! Festive light displays have illuminated high streets for what feels like an eternity. Carol services and Christmas get togethers have been enjoyed for many weeks now. It's such a happy yet busy time!

Workwise I still have a lengthy list of tasks needing to be completed before I go on leave. But I am so fortunate to have a complete break between Christmas and New Year. In fact, Christmas is the only holiday where I can return to my desk without being greeted by a hefty inbox. It feels so liberating and a true period of respite! I am acutely aware, however, that this isn't the case for my colleagues overseas.

I took some time out yesterday afternoon to enjoy a delicious afternoon tea with my mum. She has dementia and a little party was held in her care home to celebrate her 89th birthday. She really enjoyed this special time, and I am so grateful to all the staff for the genuine love they show my mother. It takes an extraordinary person to undertake caring roles. Needless to say, it is far more than a job.

Watching the staff put smiles on the faces of the residents of my mum's home reminded me of our teams around the globe. Both here and across Asia and Africa, many are making huge sacrifices over Christmas in the line of duty. It is really hard to think of mums and dads missing out on seeing their own young children on Christmas morning. This is such a short-lived, yet truly magical, time of life that goes in the blink of an eye. But without our amazing emergency services and other key workers – even for a day – lives would be lost and put at risk.

The same goes for the incredible medical teams working in Leprosy Mission hospitals overseas. They work long hours, six days a week. Many have not taken a proper break in years. They feel they cannot go away, as who will look after the patients in their absence? Yet they do not work begrudgingly – for them, it is a calling. I do wish there were more respite for them. If only there were someone to take care of them and thank them for all they do.

This is a similar situation to the one many of our supporters who care for loved ones find themselves in. While the world stops for Christmas, day-to-day care doesn't. Yet when time and energy are given with such love, it is really something special. It certainly puts the sparkle into the season! As working life comes to an end, or even to a very temporary halt at Christmas, both the need and the love don't stop. This is one constant that we mustn't take for granted when turning the office lights off for the final time in 2024.

Thank you for reading my thoughts throughout the year and for sharing your experiences. I so appreciate your support for our lifechanging projects. I wish you and your families a very happy and peaceful Christmas, and a healthy and prosperous 2025.