Free Christmas dinner for folk who would be on their own

Kevin’s commitment to the charitable cause is reflected by the time he gave up on December 25 last year.

He said: “Last year I was at the venue at 7am and got home at 11.55pm, mainly due to people wanting to volunteer earlier on but not after the meal, when volunteers are required to take our guests home.” He is therefore hoping to attract more volunteers to support the annual festive gathering, which can cater for 120 people.

“We are considering delivering meals but the deliveries depend upon having the equipment and resources to do so.

“To run the event successfully Helpers with Derby in Need CIC will be ready to cook and serve a feast at St Martin’s Methodist Church, Allenton, on Christmas Day we need between 30 and

65 volunteers,”

Kevin said.

The event is not put on solely for people to enjoy a Christmas dinner however, as guests are urged to arrive early to get involved in festive fun and games. Father Christmas may even make an appearance if his busy schedule allows.

Kevin said: “We will welcome guests from 11.30am, to make more of a day of it than just ‘sit down, eat, and go.’ “Starters will be served around 1.30pm and the meal will have a gentle pace to it with no rushing to finish a course. “We’ve asked Santa to come along and join us to hand out presents if he’s available, but we wonder every year if his hard work the night before will prevent him from doing so.” The event is being supported by ASDA Derby. Deborah Jones, the community colleague at ASDA Spondon, is pleased that the supermarket chain has made a substantial donation.

She said: “We are supporting them to put on a five-course Christmas lunch on Christmas Day free for Derby residents who are isolated and lonely, or families who may not be able to afford a Christmas meal.

“We are working with a number of other local groups to get this organised, but Derby In Need are in need of support of volunteers on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.”

Places at the meal are still available and the deadline for applications to apply is this Friday.

All guests must be residents and Council Tax payers in Derby or nearby. Derby In Need will not allow any ‘homeless persons’ to join them. Application forms are available at the Salvation Army Café, in Osmaston Road, in Derby city centre, or the Chatterbox Café at Saint Martin’s Methodist Church, during opening hours. In terms of volunteers, drivers and a head cook are most needed. Those interested in volunteering should email derby-inneed@outlook.com or call or text 07746165194 after 2pm by Friday.

It’s about stopping, or trying to stop, loneliness and helping on Christmas Day.

Kevin Kemp