DINNER for 100 might be a daunting prospect for some – but it’s worth every minute, according to Wantage charity champion Ray Collins.

The manager of Peter Ledbury electricals in Grove Street and a team of volunteers are preparing to host a free Christmas banquet for isolated older people in the community.

A huge quantity of donations have been collected from the local branch of Waitrose in Wallingford Street ahead of the event.

This year, as part of the Oxford Mail’s Lonely this Christmas campaign, Oxfordshire residents are being invited to set up their own events for those who may have no-one else to share the season with.

The appeal is also asking readers to help us raise enough money to pay for 2,000 Phone Friends calls to lonely older people across the county.

Mr Collins said: “On Christmas Day, generally most of us are enjoying a lovely dinner with the whole family, presents and fun.

“But for a large number of people who live in isolation Christmas is quite a different scenario: a bowl of soup or a sandwich for dinner, no presents or anyone to talk to.”

On December 25, scores of Wantage residents will fill the Wantage Day Centre in Garston Lane for a festive feast of turkey with all the trimmings, Christmas pudding and custard, followed by warm mince pies and live music throughout. Guests are being collected and delivered home free of charge.

Over the past month, a team of volunteers, including the Wantage Neighbourhood Policing team, has collected vast quantities of food from Waitrose.

More than 3,200 items have now been gathered, including 407 tins of soup, 377 bags of crisps, 326 tins of fish and meat, 320 boxes and packets of biscuits, 208 Christmas puddings and 103 tins of custard. The supermarket itself donated £1,000 towards the event.

Mr Collins added: “Last year we did the first Christmas Day dinner. It was quite easily the most rewarding experience I’ve had and I can not wait to do it again.

“This year we got organised early with collections, and the people of Wantage being so generous it leaves you speechless at times.

“I would like to say a huge thank-you to all the staff at Waitrose Wantage, and to all the fantastic volunteers who stood in the cold by my trolleys collecting at weekends.”

“More than £4,500-worth of food has been donated, which is amazing, and will guarantee 100 smiles on 100 faces of people who have little to smile about. Surely that is what Christmas is all about.”

For the time being, the food is being stored at Wantage and Grove Technology Park, with some already packed up into 100 hampers for guests to take away.

* Spaces for the free event are filling up fast. If you know anyone who will be alone on Christmas Day, email raymondcollins426@googlemail.com

HOW YOU CAN HELP
* 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 AUKO52 £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 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