Care Home Collects Over 20 Festive Hampers For Lonely Elderly

OVER 20 hampers full of food and other essentials have been collected by Blyth care home residents for those most in need this Christmas.

The elderly and other vulnerable members of the Blyth and Cramlington communities will receive the hampers over the festive holiday.

The charitable drive was organised by The Oaks Care Home, on Durban Street, to support care managers based at Northumberland County Council’s Eddie Ferguson House.

The home issued an appeal for donations of tinned fruit and vegetables, pies, tea and coffee, sugar, chocolate and toiletries.

Ann Mielnik, home manager at The Oaks Care Home, on Durban Street, said: “The response was amazing.

“Someone who wouldn’t give their name donated £50, which was spent on goods for the hampers, and we had enough items dropped off to fill more than 20.”

Joanne Young, senior carer at The Oaks, initiated the appeal.

She said: “We organised the appeal because we care about people who are alone at Christmas. We want them to know others are thinking about them and wishing them well.

“We’ve had a lot of support from the local community including Ashington’s Josephine Butler Primary School, alongside pubs and restaurants who’ve taken donations.

“We’d like to thank everyone who gave generously.”