Appeal for caterer for charity Christmas lunches

A charity that supports older people is appealing for a caterer to provide about 250 meals for its annual Christmas lunch events.

Age UK Hull and East Yorkshire is due to host two Christmas lunch events on 22 and 23 December.

The charity said its original supplier could no longer provide the meals due to "unexpected supply shortages".

Natalie Spikings, from Age UK Hull and East Yorkshire, said: "The events are really important and valuable, and it also gives us the opportunity to make sure people are getting a hot meal this Christmas."

The two events are due to be held in Cottingham on 22 December and Hull on 23 December.

Those attending would be given a Christmas dinner and a gift, and a singer would provide entertainment.

Ms Spikings said, as the charity is not a food provider, they cannot cook the meals themselves.

However, they do have the facilities to reheat food, she added.

If any replacement caterers were able to come forward, they would make "such a valuable difference," she said.

"You'll be able to ensure that a huge part of your local community, your elderly community, is going to receive a meal and have the experience they get so excited for."

Dot Verity, 81, has attended the Christmas lunch events over the past few years.

She said: "Please get in touch with Age UK and tell them what you can do. It would be very helpful, and they're always so grateful.

"This is a good get-together for people, and they enjoy it. It's just lovely."

Fred McDonald, 86, from Hull, said he was due to attend the Christmas lunch event for the first time this year.

"It's very important. You meet people, that's the major thing," he said.

Ms Spikings said if a replacement food provider was not found, the events would still go ahead, but a hot Christmas dinner could not be provided.

She urged anyone who might be able to help to get in touch with the charity.

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