Harrogate and Ripon charity deliver Christmas dinners to most vulnerable
Demand has risen for the vital meals on wheels service on Christmas Day
For the first time since its inception in 2012, the Harrogate and Ripon Food Angels will prepare and deliver home-cooked Christmas dinners on Christmas Day for the elderly and vulnerable living in the community – the only community service of this kind running on Christmas Day.
The vital meals on wheels service run by not-for-profit organisation, Harrogate Neighbours and supported by volunteers has received over 80 requests for a Christmas dinner delivery on the 25th December.
Dedicated staff and volunteers will cook, pack and deliver a traditional Christmas dinner, Christmas pudding and a mince pie dressed in Festive hats, Christmas jumpers and with a cracker at the ready to those in need of a nutritious, home-cooked meal and some Christmas cheer.
Gill Pepper is one of the volunteers taking time out of her Christmas Day to deliver the meals. She said: "If we're the only people they see all day it's going to make a massive differences. There's a lot of us who have offered up our services so we'll be able to spend a bit of time with them and spread a little bit of Christmas cheer.
"If they don't see another soul it would just break my heart. If that was me I don't think I'd be able to cope. The fact that we can make that bit of difference and wish them a Merry Christmas is a huge thing."
Mr Dodd, a recipient of the services provided by Harrogate Neighbours, said, “It means a great deal to me as I would usually have gone to the Wesley Chapel; I lived there from 1936 to 1952 as my father was caretaker so it is like home. Having someone still come to say hello on Christmas Day will be lovely, it is always lovely to see the volunteers every time they come but it will be especially nice and important to see someone on Christmas Day as I have no other family.”
Speaking on behalf of Harrogate Neighbours, Sue Cawthray, CEO said, “We know there are many older people who spend Christmas day on their own. Our priority is to tackle social isolation and to support those most in need in our community all year around, but particularly on special occasions. When we received the requests for our Meals on Wheels service to run on Christmas Day, we quickly reached out to some volunteers who agreed without hesitation to deliver meals on the day. We’re incredibly lucky to have such dedicated and supportive volunteers and we look forward to feeding the community and spreading some Christmas joy to those who may be on their own for the first time this Christmas.”
All volunteers will follow strict government guidelines and protocol, this includes wearing full PPE to protect themselves and others around them throughout the week.