In recent years, studies have shown that almost half a million elderly people spend Christmas Day alone. This year, with rising energy, food and fuel costs, the situation will be severely worsened.

Nobody should be spending Xmas day alone!

While we do not have the time, the funds, or the bodies to ensure this does not happen across the whole of the country, we can do our bit to help our local community. So, to that end, we are organising a special Xmas Day for those who are isolated and would otherwise be spending Xmas, cold, alone, and possibly even hungry.

Over the next 18 Days, we are raising funds to ensure that this Xmas, the socially isolated pensioners across the areas of Pollokshaws, Pollok and Govanhill, can have a day to enjoy and remember (if we can cater for more, we will). In the coming weeks, we plan to get around the doors, speaking to people, or putting some flyers through the post, and letting the elderly folk in the area know about the event.

The plan on the day will to pick them up from their homes, have some music playing (live if possible), pull a few crackers and exchange a couple gifts, give the guests some Xmas dinner, have some drinks, have a wee dance (for those who are able) and then drop them off home after the event is over.

There are, however, a lost of things we are going to need to ensure this event is successful. These are:

A venue - we need somewhere to host it (we are working on this).

Food and drink - enough to do everyone.

A minibus (perhaps even a couple) and a driver or two for transport of people, food, seats and tables.

Some volunteers or staff to assist with doing the side dishes, starters, and desserts,. I'll be spending Xmas eve and Xmas morning doing the main meals but any help will be great. We will also need servers, some people to give some assistance to staff, and to come out and pour some drinks for the elderly folk there.

Gifts, from boxes of chocolates to some other board games and things that may keep an elderly person occupied over the winter. We will also be throwing in some hats, scarves and glove sets.

There will be a few additional costs on top of all we have mentioned, but as you can see, this is going to cost us a few quid and will also rely on a fair bit of voluntary work and ultimately charity. But we are hoping we can come together as a community, as we have done before and make this happen.

So, whatever you can afford then please donate!

Any excess in donations will go toward vouchers for children in struggling families, and toward some winter clothing for the less fortunate too. This event will also be open for any person who find themselves in a similar position to the elderly folk, and we will try to support any and all who need it.

Thank you!