Clubs are grateful for kind bequest from long-standing member
Members of two Pulborough clubs received hampers full of goodies thanks to the generosity of a long-standing member who passed away in July.
Glad Gent, who died just weeks before her 100th birthday, was able to bring much-needed to her friends at the of Pulborough and District Community Care Association’s Lunch Club and Wednesday Club, which both have been unable to run as normal due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Wednesday Club’s Rosemary Russell, said: “Glad was a lovely lady with a great sense of humour and a zest for life. She was loved by everyone and will be sadly missed.
“We were delighted when her son rang to tell us that Glad had left a generous bequest to both clubs and also to the community mini-bus association, whose drivers and escorts enabled many members to get to the Village Hall each week.”
In normal times, this gift would have been used to provide an outing, some Christmas entertainment or other special treats.
Instead, the clubs’ organisers put their heads together and decided to deliver Christmas hampers to all the members, as a way of sharing Glad’s generosity and bringing some festive cheer to all her friends.
“With generous support from Tesco, Pulborough Flower Shop and Cocoa Loco, a group of us were able to put together 50 bags of festive goodies,” said Liz Sollom of the Wednesday Club.
“These were then delivered around Pulborough and surrounding villages, to
the surprise and delight of everyone.
“2020 was a very difficult year for everyone but especially for some of our elderly residents, many of whom have not left their homes since the first lockdown in March.
“Regular clubs and activities, shopping trips and family visits have come to a halt, leaving many feeling isolated. For members of Pulborough Lunch Club and Wednesday Club, Wednesdays were the highlight of the week, giving
an opportunity to share a home-cooked meal with friends and then get some mental or physical exercise playing cards, board games or short-mat bowls, or just catching up with news.
“Regular phone calls and letters have enabled club leaders to keep in touch with members, but it’s no substitute for meeting faceto-face.”
Jean Seagrim, founder of Pulborough and District Community Care Association who is now its president and a lunch club member,
said:“Ann and Louise turned up in the drive with pixie hats and a bag of Christmas goodies with a potted red rose and a card with Glad’s Tidings on the front and love and best wishes from all seven involved in the lunch and Wednesday Clubs.
“I enjoyed attending the lunch club and they insisted I was on the list so I gratefully accepted. It must have taken them all a long time to sort and deliver but on a gloomy day it was so cheering and I shall always remember Gladys Gent.”