News readers’ help could ‘make a difference’ to over 100 lonely pensioners’ Christmas Day this year.
Hosted for the last 40 years on the 29th floor Robens Suite of Guy’s Hospital Tower, a slap-up meal run by Bermondsey Care for the Elderly provides entertainment and food for around 150 lonely OAPs on December 25.
This week, Phil Burkett, one of the organisers of a fundraiser for the event has asked News readers to join him and others at Bermondsey’s Stanley Arms pub, Southwark Park Road, for a knees-up to help pay for the invaluable meal.
“To think that in this day and age that there are elderly people on their own on Christmas day, breaks my heart,” said Phil Burkett, one of the organisers.
“We cannot give our time on Christmas Day, so we do the next best thing and help raise funds for the charity and make it a bit easier for Coral Newell’s ‘band of angels’.
“So far we have had a fantastic response from Bermondsey people and businesses and they all know that every single penny raised goes to the Bermondsey Care for the Elderly Charity.
“How I explain it to people is ‘At 3pm on Christmas Day, when HM the Queen’s speech is being broadcast and we’re horizontal on the settee with our family around us, there will be an elderly person, microwaving a meal, all alone’, and to me that’s not right. So please help us make a difference.”
Last year the pub in Southwark Park Road raised about £1,900 for the free meal, which has been led by the Beormund Community Centre’s Coral Newell since 1977.
Starting at 8pm on December 10, everyone is invited to come along for a £5 entry, and also take part in a raffle supported by local businesses. You can attend the evening or donate online at www.bermondseycares.wordpress.com/.