A BARNSLEY family are giving up their own Christmas Day to help people who would otherwise be alone.
Raychel and Steve McGuin, of Darton, and Raychel’s mum and step-dad Judith and Ian Bisset have planned a community Christmas dinner.
The event will run from 12.30pm to 4.30pm on the 25th at the Darby and Joan Club on Church Street, Darton, and is for anyone who will be alone on the day with priority given to isolated elderly people.
The lunch is free for guests but they must book their place by December 18.
Donations of food, supermarket vouchers and wrapped gifts for the guests are being sought and volunteers are needed to cook, serve, collect and drop off guests.
Raychel, 46, said: "Christmas has always been a difficult time of year for us - it brings back lots of memories of my late dad who was called in for a kidney transplant at 11.30pm on Christmas Eve in 1978.
"Since then we’ve never really been able to enjoy Christmas in the traditional sense so doing the dinner this year will help to give a new focus to the day.
"It’ll be great to help those people who might otherwise be alone and we’d love to hear from anyone who knows of anyone who should attend. I have been overwhelmed with the support I've already received with offers of help and donations."
For more information or to volunteer, contact 07909 857574 or email raymcguin@hotmail.co.uk. To book a place at the lunch, please call 01226 289206.
