Collecting presents for the elderly
A GROUP OF ‘ Festive Friends’ from Loughborough are collecting Christmas presents and gifts for the elderly who don’t have anyone to celebrate the festive period with.
Carol Kirk, Dominic Harkin, Damian Harkin, Marion Brookes and Marie McVinnie are a group of friends who are working with care agencies Absolute Care, Caremark, Happy Homes and Sure Care Charnwood to brighten up Christmas for elderly people who are housebound, living alone and would not normally receive a gift at Christmas.
This is the second year that the group has volunteered to give presents and they rely entirely on donations from the public and the Christmas spirit of local businesses.
Last year they wrapped up presents such as calendars, puzzle books, games, toiletries and chocolate and biscuits before handing them out the week before Christmas.
Carol who has organised the group called ‘Festive Friends’ said: “It is lovely to be able to give people a small present to remind them that there are people that are thinking of them.
“I think how lucky I am to have a big family, but not everyone is like that and some people don’t have anyone to celebrate Christmas with.”
Carol said that last year the group gave presents to around 20 people and this year they are hoping for more.
She said: “Any donations are more than welcome, and any care agencies that we don’t work with and would like to work with us please get in touch, there is still plenty of time before Christmas so we will try our best to see what we can do.”
Festive Friends will be hosting a stall at the Christmas Light Switch on in Loughborough Town Centre on Sunday (November 26), they will have a still at the Fearon Hall Christmas Fair on Saturday, December 9 and at The Boat Inn’s first barge festival on Saturday, December 16 and Sunday, December 17.
• If you would like to donate to Festive Friends, or would like to help out or any more information please speak to Carol and the group at any of their fundraisers or email festivefriends2017@gmail.com