My name is Gloria Stewart. For the past 10 years I have hosted a Christmas lunch for some of the loneliest people in our city, the event named Home Alone. Home Alone started in 2007 after a chance meeting with an elderly lady in a hospital waiting room. We began a conversation based on Christmas. I asked if she was looking forward to the festive season, she said that she could not wait for it to be over. Since the loss of her husband 5 years ago, she had taken a flask of tea and a packet of biscuits up to bed and spent the season up there until it all passed over. Other elderly people in the waiting room said they felt the same. They felt so alone and isolated. I felt guilty. I realised how lucky I was to have such close family and friends around me. The lady who I met earlier that day had planted a seed in my head! This is our tenth annual event, we give people a traditional Christmas lunch, so they are able to feel part of our society. The first year 87 people attended. Last year there were almost 500 people! We also visited 11 care homes to provide a small gift to each resident and gave over 600 thermal items to the homeless as well as presents for the children. Without the continued support from people we would not be able to continue to touch the hearts of some of Sheffield’s lonely citizens year after year. This year we plan to reach out to those who cannot attend the meal and deliver them a small hamper as well as continuing to visit the care homes and the homeless. This year’s event is being held on Wednesday 14th December at Niagara Sports and Social Club, Sheffield. I am currently asking for a donation, however small, towards hosting this event to ensure these people have a day to remember this Christmas. I am self funding and have to rely on people’s good nature. Please ask all family and friends to support this worthy cause. One day this could be you...
Thank you for your time to read my letter.
Gloria Stewart Telephone: 0114 257 0460