SCORES of local residents joined together for a cup of tea, a chat and yee-haw in a Contact the Elderly event in Horndon.
Contact the Elderly – One of the Mayors chosen charities for this year – is a unique organisation which organises free monthly tea parties to elderly guests who are over 75 and live on their own.
In a bid to reduce loneliness and isolation, the charity provides transport and hosts a party where guests can meet new people and have a natter over a cuppa.
Mayor of Thurrock, Cllr Tunde Ojetola attended an event with the Mayoress last weekend, (Sunday 6 August) and said: “There are six thriving groups in Thurrock and a waiting list for a seventh which is a testament to how needed this service is locally.”
Terry Hamlin a strong supporter of the charity arranged the day and invited 40 guests together with 24 volunteers at Horndon Village Hall to drink team and be entertained – country and western style.
Mr Hamlin, who raised £500 for the charity earlier this year after a 1000 mile bike ride on a static bike, organised the venue and the “lovely tea”.
Cllr Ojetola said: “There was a fantastic event and really could not have happened without the fantastic volunteers and helpers. The dedication, warm and gentle care all the guests received was very overwhelming. Thank you so much.
“It was a pleasure to be entertained by the talented Angie Gilbey singing Country and Western songs, along with The Dixieliners line dancing team.
“It was extra special to be celebrating two birthdays on the day too!
Lorraine Coleman, Contact the Elderly Coordinator for Thurrock said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as the Mayor of Thurrock’s Charity of the Year and the weekend’s event really does make all the organising worthwhile – it was so lovely to see so many happy smiley faces!
“However, we are desperately in need of more volunteer drivers to set up further groups and reach out to more lonely, isolated Thurrock residents.”
If you would like to find out more about volunteering, please call Loraine Coleman, Area Coordinator of Thurrock Contact the Elderly (Volunteer) on 07468 573500 or email her on thecolemans62@hotmail.com
