GOOD food, good cheer and good company will be in ample supply for many people in Oxfordshire this Christmas – but not all.

Each year, hundreds of residents in Oxfordshire set up free Christmas lunches for lonely older people in their communities, who might otherwise have nowhere to go.

But they can’t do it alone, and this year the Oxford Mail is asking readers to promote their own events for some of the county’s 10,400 lonely over-65s.

So that people can know where to turn, we’re asking people to let us know about lunches they have planned and to register them online.

It comes as part of our Lonely This Christmas appeal, in which we’ve teamed up with Age UK Oxfordshire to help thousands across the county.

For the past six years Andrew Norton, director of the Jam Factory in Oxford, has run ‘Golden Sunday’ – an afternoon of roast turkey and live entertainment for older people.

On Sunday, a total of 450 people will tuck into free Christmas lunches at venues around Oxford, including Loch Fyne in Walton Street and the Cherwell Boathouse in Bardwell Road.

Mr Norton said: “It is going to be wonderful. The most important thing about the lunch is not just the 400 who are eating, but raising awareness across the county for those that are lonely and vulnerable over the winter months, so that people support one another.

“The biggest disappointment is that we have 1,200 people who want to come. We don’t have enough seats: 800 will be sat at home because we couldn’t find the room.”

At the Golden Sunday events, logistics are taken care of by Age UK Oxfordshire and suppliers donate goods including turkey, pork and vegetables.

Paul Petrillo, owner of the Branca restaurant in Walton Street, which is participating for the first time, said: “We are thrilled to donate a table for such a worthwhile event: local, deserving and fun.”

Arranging an event at home or in a restaurant is hugely rewarding and needn’t cost the earth in time or money, according to people who have run them in the past.

Villagers in Chadlington, near Chipping Norton, are preparing for their annual Christmas lunch at the Memorial Hall on Sunday, December 6.

The event was set up five years ago by local woman Sorrell Wilson, 46. She said: “I run a cleaning business and one of my clients told me she was having soup for Christmas dinner as she couldn’t get to her relatives. I thought that was awful, and wondered who else was like that. We sent invitations out and had about 63 people at our first lunch.”

Since its inception, the event has swelled and now attracts up to 90 people. Roast turkey is followed by crackers and carols from local schoolchildren, while visitors tuck into coffee and mince pies.

Mrs Wilson added: “It has got better and better. Whoever can’t get to the hall we take a meal, a Christmas cracker and a goodie bag.

“As the years have gone on fewer are having meals on wheels as more have felt braver. It’s a really special event and when you walk through that door, the atmosphere is awesome.”

For more information, email sorrellwilson@hotmail.com

Oxford Mail:

  • Glorious food: Jericho restaurant Branca is hosting a free Chrsitmas lunch for hundreds of elderly people on Golden Sunday. Pictured are head chef Vince Langton, centre, with chefs Kelvin Winchester, left, and Edwin Blandes

Wantage charity champion Ray Collins is preparing for another slap-up Christmas Day lunch at Wantage Day Centre. Volunteers will be in the kitchen from 7.30am and about 50 guests will arrive at noon.

Mr Collins said: “It’s a fantastic experience and one of the most rewarding things a person can do.

“We take for granted how many people even get a card at Christmas. To take 40 or 50 people who have been alone, sometimes for years, and give them a Christmas once again, is amazing.”

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

* Donate to the Lonely this Christmas appeal, which is aiming to raise £5,400 by Christmas to support Age UK Oxfordshire and its and Phone Friends service. Text AUKO22 £3 to 70070 to give £3 or visit campaign.justgiving.com/charity/ageukoxfordshire/endloneliness to pledge an amount of your choice.

* Volunteer with Age UK Oxfordshire. Ten new recruits are being sought over the Christmas period. There is no set minimum age and Phone Friends can volunteer from just two hours per week. To find out more, email volunteering@ageukoxfordshire.org.uk. 

* If you’re organising a Christmas lunch for neighbours and older people who may not have anyone to share the day with, register it at communitychristmas.org.uk