The British Red Cross will deliver around 30 hampers to people living alone in Newcastle on Christmas Day. Credit: ITV Tyne Tees
The British Red Cross will deliver around 30 hampers to people living alone in Newcastle on Christmas Day.
The coronavirus pandemic has forced them to cancel the annual Christmas Day lunch, which invites people who live alone in the city to come and enjoy a festive feast together.
Instead the Red Cross will hand deliver hampers, containing letters, presents and snacks to the doorstep of those in need.
The British Red Cross suggests around one in three people will be spending Christmas Day alone, following the introduction of tougher Covid-19 restrictions.
As part of the hamper delivery it has included a helpline to call and connections to the website.
The British Red Cross suggests around one in three people will be spending Christmas Day alone Credit: ITV Tyne Tees
Rosie Fewings from the Newcastle branch of the BRC will be taking her team of volunteers out on Christmas Day to make the deliveries.
She told ITV News it is the social interaction of the doorstep conversations that are the important part of the day.
Red Cross Hamper Credit: ITV Tyne Tees
Tracy Hearn lives alone in a block of flats on the outskirts of the city. She told ITV News the last 10 months has been particularly difficult, especially during the first lockdown.
She said having community workers come round on Christmas Day, even for a short period of time, is a welcome boost.
