Guernsey chef delivers free Christmas dinners to more than 100 islanders

Matt Bamford (right) is the chef bringing Christmas cheer to the people of Guernsey - with all the trimmings. Credit: ITV Channel

A Guernsey chef has spent 48 hours prepping Christmas roasts for more than 100 islanders who can't make meals for themselves.

Matt Bamford has spent the last two days peeling, chopping, and roasting to provide islanders with a free dinner.

A small army of volunteers from every parish on the island assisted Matt in preparing and delivering meals this Christmas Eve.

The meal includes a main course, a pudding, and a small present.

Matt said: "A lot of people have rung me and a lot of people got really emotional. I think it's got me a bit emotional as well, so it's good that it is.

"There's a lot of elderly people who reached out and a couple of them come into the deli and they got teary that the the husbands are in care and stuff on their own.

"That's the kind of people we wanted to reach out to."

A team of volunteers spent part of their Christmas Eve becoming Matt's little helpers. Credit: ITV Channel

Matt hopes that the meals will benefit people who struggle to get their own meals, saying that no one should go without a Christmas meal.

Volunteer Scott Sarre explains: "We just delivered to a gentleman clearly unable to cook for himself.

"[Now] he doesn't have to worry about preparing any food tomorrow. He [can] just warm it through and has a Christmas with a gift as well from us.

"It's quite shocking the amount of people who are on their own, especially this time of year. It shouldn't be at any time, but this time of year was even more sensitive.

"So if we were able to do just a little bit just to give them something a little bit - a little bit of a surprise on Christmas Day."

Matt says he wants to keep the scheme going for next year. Credit: ITV Channel

This scheme - in its first year - has also been made possible by donations from local businesses.

Dominic Buchette, who donated to the scheme, says: "We were impressed by [Matt's] kindness making all this effort and working all over Christmas just to support elderly, vulnerable people and people who need a nice boost at this time of year.

"It seemed like a worthy cause and it was direct to the community, which is pretty much what we're all about."

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