One in a MILLION!
This week, we’re praising the close connections made by Chris Grimley, 54, from Lincolnshire. She said…
Donning my fluffy, white bunny ears, I prepared for a day packed full of good food and good people. It was April 2023, and me and my husband Richard, 55, were heading to an Easter celebration in the local area.
‘Richard, are you ready yet?’ I called out.
Padding into our bedroom, I doubled over into fits of laughter at what I saw.
There, covered head to toe in white fur, was Richard.
Within seconds, he’d transformed into the Easter Bunny, complete with ears, too.
‘The guests are going to love this!’ I said.
He really did look the part for our Easter get-together, planned by a charity named
Not Home Alone.
They ensured that the elderly never celebrated national holidays alone by bringing them all together.
Held within local venues, they were treated to a threecourse meal and presents, too.
Me and Richard had been volunteering, helping to run the events, since he saw a Facebook post in 2020.
‘This is perfect for you,’ he’d suggested. Back then, I spent most days taking my elderly mum Janice out for afternoon tea.
And I always visited my nana Ivy, who passed away a few years before, too.
So naturally, I hated the idea of the elderly – like Mum and Nana – being isolated.
And when Mum passed away aged 79 in April 2021, I felt such a void in my life.
I had no elderly relatives around me and I missed our catch-ups desperately.
But volunteering at the Not Home Alone dinner parties every Easter, summer and Christmas helped me process life without Mum.
I even carved out time from my busy schedule, running my salon, Fusion Hair Co, to volunteer.
In April 2023, around 30 guests aged over 65 attended our Easter party.
Spending the afternoon serving the guests their food – a traditional roast dinner – and nattering with them, I loved hearing all their stories.
Each table had floral centrepieces that the guests could win by entering a raffle.
Then, we had a good sing song. Even the guests with walking frames got up to dance.
At the end of the day, everyone had a choccie Easter egg to take home with them.
‘It’s such a lovely thing you do, giving up your time for us,’ one guest told me.
But little did they know how much volunteering helped me.
Every chat reminded me of Mum, helping to fill the gap she left behind.
So, I’ll keep on volunteering every holiday – it always puts a hop in my step!
● Visit: nothomealone.co.uk
I didn’t want the elderly to feel alone