It’ll be a cracker, thanks to Sharon and her pals
Santa’s helpers are putting on a festive feast for the lonely
A Paisley mum is working hard to ensure nobody spends Christmas Day alone.
Sharon Wallace, 46, has teamed up with Jodie Campbell to put on a three-course lunch at Tweedie Hall, in Linwood, for people who will be on their own.
It’s the third year the pair have run a Christmas lunch in Renfrewshire and Sharon is looking forward to another successful event.
She said: “The first year I helped with transport and companionship. Last year, I was more heavily involved in the organising with Jodie and I am again this year.
“My kids are older — they’re 26 and 21, my brother lives down in Wales and was going abroad that year, my dad had passed away a few years ago and my husband William was working.
“I saw it on Facebook and thought I would like to get involved and it’s just grown from there.”
Sharon is storing donations of festive goodies in her home and garage and is happy to collect donations.
Everyone who goes along on Christmas Day receives a threecourse meal and entertainment. There is space for around 100 people and, thanks to Renfrewshire Cab Company and Johnstone TOA, many are driven there and back.
Sharon said: “It’s amazing. When you go home on Christmas night, it hits you what kind of day it’s been. During the lunch, you’re too busy making it a good day to think about it.
“You come home and you just feel so grateful you can do something for somebody.
“The comments on our crowdfunding page and response from everyone on the day show you what it means to people.
“We know people have met up with each other since last Christmas Day — they lived in the same area, but didn’t know each other. Friendships have been made through this.”
Sharon and Jodie have received wonderful feedback from guests on what the free event has meant to them. One man said it was the best day of his life, while another said, “it made my day watching the children having the time of their lives”.
There is no age limit on people who want to go to the lunch and there have been referrals from the Disability Resource Centre, ROAR and Renfrewshire Social Work department.
People can also self-refer if they will be on their own on Christmas Day and would like to go along.
Sharon said: “People don’t have to be at a financial disadvantage to come along. We just feel nobody should be on their own on Christmas Day.”
Jodie and Sharon are very grateful for donations from Afton Bar, Renfrewshire Cab Co, Artemis flowers, Concept Catering, Dress My Venue, Johnstone TOA and Commgas Ltd, as well as everyone who’s given through their crowdfunding page.
Sharon said: “We wouldn’t be able to do this without them. We are very grateful for everyone’s donations and to everyone who’s offered to volunteer.”
There are still spaces available for people to go along to the lunch. Anyone interested in going along, or who can give donations of Christmas goodies, can phone Jodie on 07733 260 135, Sharon on 07775 421 546 or email wallaceshaz@hotmail.co.uk
Anyone who wants to donate to the lunch, can go to justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/xmasdaylunch
One man said it was the best day of his life Sharon wallace