There may be more than 17 weeks until Christmas but an Angus community is already coming together to ensure no-one spends the day on their own.
The venue is booked and a team of volunteers has offered to cook and serve festive fayre. All that is needed now are guests to sit round the lunch table in the Kirriemuir Old Parish Church Hall.
Heather Kelly, a member of Kirriemuir Rotary Club, which is organising the event, is appealing for residents of all ages to come forward if they are facing Christmas on their own.
The lunch has been supported by staff in the town’s two Co-op stores, who are doing it as a community project.
Heather said: “A number of people have offered to cook the food, serve and provide entertainment.
“At the moment I have plenty of helpers but no people to serve.
“I am in touch with Kirrie Day Care and am going to speak to staff at sheltered housing complexes and churches to see if they have people this might be for.
“It would be good if neighbours of people on their own could get in touch so we can help them have a nice afternoon.”
Heather has contacted organisers of lunches held in Brechin and Arbroath and is now determined to set up a similar project in Kirriemuir.
She said: “I would love to have this happening in our town and get folk to communicate and enjoy each other’s company on what can be a very lonely day.
“If folk have a neighbour who might have lost a partner, who may be all alone with no family, or if there are young people living alone, we want to hear from them.
“Weather permitting, even folk from out-with the town could be collected to join us.”
The lunch will run from 1 to 3.30pm and flyers will soon be distributed throughout the town, reaching out to those facing a lonely Christmas day.
Anyone interested in attending, or who knows of someone who could benefit, is asked to contact Heather on 01575 574796.
Names can also be given to any member of Kirriemuir Rotary Club or staff at the Co-op stores in The Roods or Kirrie Square.
