ELLESMERE Port & Neston Live at Home Scheme held a Christmas celebration for 90 older people.

The get-together was part of the Help the Aged Christmas Lunch 2007 and was helped by a grant from the charity.Š

Help the Aged aimed to raise £100,000 last year to support its UK-wide Christmas lunch programme through its 1 is the saddest number fundraising appeal.

The Live at Home Scheme, voted Team of the Year in last year’s Pioneer/ScottishPower Community Champions Awards, supports older people living on their own in the borough and has been running for 14 years.

The scheme runs a twice-weekly welcome centre at Trinity Methodist Church Hall in Whitby Road, Ellesmere Port and a twice-weekly luncheon club in Neston.Š

There are also outings, a newsletter and talking newsletter, support and transport to medical appointments, a telephone link service, one-to-one befriending and an assisted shopping service.Š

The Christmas lunch was held at the Civic Hall and members were entertainment by Dave Francis as they enjoyed a full seasonal dinner.

The money provided by Help the Aged is designed to help older people’s groups and projects with the financial cost of their Christmas event, such as food or extra transport, so that all the members of a group can take part.Š

Carol Crank, of Live at Home, said: “Christmas can be a particularly difficult time for some of the older people who visit our group, especially if they have few plans to mark the festive season, or live far from their families. We would like to thank Help the Aged for this support; as it provided a fun and memorable celebration.”

Help the Aged is hoping everyone will get behind its campaign to end isolation and loneliness as a donation of just £4 enables it to provide a Christmas meal for an older person to enjoy with friends.Š

Live at Home is looking for volunteers.ŠFor more information, ring the office on 0151 357 3873. To donate to the Help the Aged’s appeal, call 0207 239 1983 or visit www.saddestnumber.org.uk.