People who may have been alone on Christmas Day were welcomed to enjoy turkey and all the trimmings at First Choice Homes Oldham’s (FCHO) Tensing Street Community Centre.
The housing association donated £120 towards the party organised by volunteers at the centre in Bardsley and gave each person a gift such as toiletries and slippers. Two hampers provided by FCHO will be raffled off in the new year.
Two of the 17 people who went along also celebrated their birthdays on December 25.
Entertainment was from Jan Stone from Saddleworth-based Valley Music Wellbeing who played carols and Christmas sing along with music.
Matt Slater - from local band Parcel O’Rogues - also performed relaxing festive guitar music after lunch.
Mags Poulton (60), from Bardsley, was among the volunteers who organised the event. “Last year we served breakfast on Christmas Day, and we did something again because it was so good to see the happiness of the people who generally just don’t enjoy Christmas.
“There were a few people last year who were going home to be on their own and I felt sad about that so this year I thought I’d have a Christmas party.
“Thank you to First Choice Homes for their generosity. It made a big difference to the people who came along and the volunteers.”
Julia Maddison (78) was one of those who were able to tuck into the Christmas dinner and enjoy the entertainment.
“It was lovely to have company and to enjoy Christmas Day for a change. If we weren’t here, we would be bored at home, fed up, lonely,” she said. “The day has been lovely - great food and entertainment.”
She added: “Thank you to First Choice for financing and to the team of volunteers for all their hard work to make it happen.”
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