Charity's Christmas lunches saved by caterer

A replacement caterer has come forward to provide about 250 Christmas meals for a charity that supports older people.

Age UK Hull and East Yorkshire was told last week its caterer could no longer provide the hot lunches for two Christmas events due to "unexpected supply shortages".

After an appeal was launched, Hull-based café Drypool Feast confirmed it would supply the meals at cost price, in addition to cooking and delivering them.

Darren Clark, the owner, said: "It's probably the highlight of their year, and to think they were missing out... it's the season of giving. We had to help them out."

Mr Clark added that he would also take donations from customers to bring the overall price down for the charity.

He said: "What we're going to do is deduct it from the final bill, and if it goes over that then we will just give it to the charity to help them out in other ways.

"We've got the price down literally as much as we can, we're only charging them for the goods, and our wholesaler has donated a couple of turkeys as well."

Natalie Spikings, from Age UK Hull and East Yorkshire, said: "We're absolutely overwhelmed with the support [Drypool Feast] have given us.

"It's really great to know we've got the support of this amazing organisation in the community to help us, and [our members] are going to have really brilliant 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.

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