Story
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
Last year, 500,000 people were estimated to have spent Christmas day alone. We believe no older person in the UK should be alone on Christmas Day unless they want to be. We support & motivate activities which are publicised on our website. Christmas Day contact can lead to contact all year.
Could you donate £5 to help us find a Christmas Day community event for a lonely older person to attend this year?
Christmas is a time of tradition. Whether you give and receive gifts before or after breakfast, have turkey for lunch, always argue over the washing-up, toast the Queen or pull crackers and play games in the evening, one thing for most of us is for certain - you’re probably expecting to spend Christmas with somebody.
Imagine then if on Christmas Day, you’re on your own. Not only that but you’re unable to reach loved ones, or they’ve all passed away. Perhaps there aren't any gifts, there’s certainly no one to pull a cracker with and cooking an entire Christmas lunch for one person feels pointless. You don't feel festive. You feel isolated and forgotten.
That’s why on the Community Christmas website we list Christmas Day events happening in locations across the country where people receive a warm welcome, something to eat, and the chance to spend time with others. For many, this might be the first time they have spoken in person to anyone for weeks or even months. We also run a phone line for older people to call if they can’t see an event nearby so that, time and resource permitting, we can try and locate one for them.
No matter the time it takes we will call back anyone who gets in touch and needs somewhere to go on Christmas Day, but unfortunately at present it won’t always be with good news.
Your donation could change this.
Last year over 15,500 older people attended Christmas Day events listed on our website.
Whilst we celebrate the fact that so many were able to enjoy Christmas with the company of others, we know there are hundreds of thousands who didnt. We desperately want to reach them, but we need your help. Can you make a donation or fundraise for us? Just £5 could help us match an older person to a local event they can attend on Christmas Day.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.