A Christmas lunch hosted by the Royal Voluntary Service proved a big hit with older residents in Huddersfield.
Forty guests from in and around Huddersfield attended and received a warm welcome and hot Christmas meal with all the trimmings at Huddersfield O’55 Club.
The free lunch, organised with the help of the charity’s volunteers, was one of 70 similar lunches being hosted across Britain as part of Royal Voluntary Service’s Festive Spread campaign.
The Festive Spread campaign aims to provide lunches to people who may be spending the festive season alone and has been made possible thanks to generous donations from the public and support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Royal Voluntary Service director of health and community, Steve Amos, said: “We know Christmas can be a difficult time of year for many. These local gatherings have been a chance for people to come together, celebrate in the company of others and enjoy a hot Christmas dinner.
“Without our volunteers, the kind donations from the public and support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, it simply would not have been possible. We’re enormously grateful.”
Gina Hanby, who attended the celebrations in Huddersfield, said: “This lunch has been my Christmas highlight. It was fun getting to eat and chat with others in the community and share stories.
“Christmas can often be a lonely time, especially as you get older or less mobile. It was clear this festive lunch meant so much to those attending and was extremely enjoyable.”
Peter Charlesworth, a Royal Voluntary Service volunteer at the Huddersfield O’55 Club, said: “It’s been lovely to see people from across Huddersfield coming together for a Christmas lunch.
“There were people I’ve met before through volunteering but lots of new faces too. It was a busy day but as pleasurable for the volunteers as it was for the guests. The whole experience has been really rewarding and made a big difference to so many in the community.”
Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have been supporting Royal Voluntary Service since 2015 and have raised over £22 million for the charity’s work in communities.
To find out more about how players of People’s Postcode Lottery are helping charities and good causes, visit postcodelottery.co.uk/good-causes
Or if you’d like to help spread joy and connection this festive season, it’s not too late to get involved, visit: give.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/christmasgifts. Or to find out how you can get involved in volunteering go to royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/our-services/.
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