Esther’s charity pleas for a Golden Day to help elderly

DAME Esther Rantzen is calling for a dedicated “Golden Day” each year to help combat loneliness in older people.

The Silver Line charity she founded has taken almost 550,000 calls from over-55 in the last 12 months, up 10% on the previous year.

More than half – 51% – said they had no-one else to speak to.

Dame Esther, 78, said: “With today’s older generation we too

APPEAL Dame Esther Rantzen often turn a blind eye. At The Silver Line we know first-hand of the epidemic of loneliness that has swept the country. “Too often in our busy lives we forget older people need more than care, they need connection. A human voice or a kind word can make all the difference to someone on their own.” Sophie Andrews, chief executive of The Silver Line, said: “A Golden Day would remind us all of the importance of our older people.”