Christmas meal appeal for older people across South Tyneside
The charity wants to deliver 200 meals to the old and vulnerable of the borough this Christmas.
Generous South Tynesiders have been asked to spread some seasonal cheer among older people across the borough.
Age Concern, which provides services to support older people, needs to raise about £1,000 to give Christmas dinners to elderly folk who might not otherwise have one.
Every donation, no matter how small, helps with the charity’s drive to deliver the three-course meals to the doors of those who most appreciate it. Each meal costs £10.
The aim is to deliver 200 meals, with additional funds raised to make Christmas shoeboxes containing small, but thoughtful gifts to be delivered in the fortnight before Christmas.
It isn’t just about the meal. Volunteers, sometimes accompanied by their children, provide another important role while out delivering just by having a friendly chat on the doorstep. This can be more of a gift than is often realised.
The charity also runs a host of activities at the Age Concern Tyneside South (ACTS) base in South Shields. It identifies people who might have had a tough year.
ACTS also has a raffle to raise funds with tickets available from their reception at 29 Beach Road, South Shields. Prizes have been donated by local businesses.
An ACTS spokesperson told the Gazette: “We’ve been doing this for a number of years. It’s for older people in the community who are going to be alone this Christmas and aren’t believed to be getting a Christmas meal.
“It’s a bit challenging for people at the moment financially, so as an organisation we earmark people we work with throughout the year.
“We work with about 18,500 people a year and we keep a check on those we think might be vulnerable on their own. We speak to them and find out what they’re doing.
“All donations are welcome. Any donations that people can give. We appreciate that these are tough times, but this supports people out in the community and that’s what Age Concern are all about – delivering in the local community.
“Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to us and local older people living in South Tyneside.”
To donate, please visit the Christmas Meals for Older People in South Tyneside GoFundMe page.