Sara saves Christmas for region's lonely

There have been many Christmas appeals each year for shoe-box style donations for disadvantaged children in our region but in a twist on the traditional plea for help one North West Ambulance paramedic is appealing for similar donations, this time for the elderly.

As part of a campaign to help some of the regions loneliest people this Christmas, paramedic Sara Smith along with staff at the Merseyside Fire and Ambulance Station in Southport are providing up to fifty vulnerable, elderly, and most importantly, lonely people, with a Christmas day to remember at the North West's largest combined emergency services station.

Held at their local fire / ambulance station, Sara along with volunteer organisers will provide their guests with a traditional Christmas dinner, entertainment, and hopefully a visit from the man himself -Santa, with a Christmas present for every guest totally free of charge.

This is the second year in a row that the event is being held and although people have been generous, those in need has increased and Sara and her colleagues are now seeking help from anyone who may wish to give a gift to an elderly person this Christmas.

Organisers say their elderly guests could really benefit from items such as socks, tights, hot-water bottles and toiletries.

To donate a gift or to find out more, you can email Sara directly at sara.smith@nwas.nhs.uk