Community Christmas Thame

Organisers of a community Christmas Day lunch for the vulnerable elderly have appealed for volunteers to help make the day a success.

Community Christmas Thame would like to hear from anyone willing to drive guests to venue The Birdcage Pub in Thame, as well as those who could offer good company or a talent to enliven the lunch.

And if people cannot donate their time, a wrapped Christmas present appropriate for a pensioner would be gratefully received.

Kathy Thomas, organiser, said: 'We would love to hear from anyone who has as little as half-an-hour to spare, either on Christmas Day or before, to help make this lunch special for people who ordinarily would not be able to celebrate on Christmas Day.

'We will also deliver lunch to those who cannot leave their homes. We are determined that no elderly vulnerable person should be alone at Christmas.'

Now in its third year, the fully-funded event is supported by Sainsbury's, Thame and Thame Welfare Trust. Local butchers M Newitt & Sons and Wrens of Thame are donating turkeys and lunch trimmings, respectively. Also sponsoring is Aylesbury desktop publishing firm Pindar Creative.

Mrs Thomas added, 'We would like to thank all our sponsors, in particular Sainsbury's for its tremendous support each year so far.'

Volunteers and prospective lunch guests will need to complete an application form which can be found on the Community Christmas Thame website www.communitychristmasthame.org.uk or collected from The Birdcage pub. Alternatively, please call 01844 217413 or email via the website contact form

(from left to right): Sainsbury's staff Liz Clarke and Danny Hayes, with local resident Les Hopkins, who will be having his lunch delivered to him by Community Christmas Thame.

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