Charity

Local businesses bring Christmas cheer to lonely older people in Solihull

Three local organisations are joining forces to ensure that lonely or vulnerable older people in Solihull receive a gift this Christmas.

For the last three years, Morgan Parkes Recruitment have collected gifts to be given to local older people by Age UK Solihull. This year they are doing the same again, and they have also teamed up with Home Instead Senior Care Solihull to help them achieve even more.

The gifts, which will be donated by local businesses and the general public, will be given out at Christmas lunch events for older people, organised by Age UK Solihull. Any remaining presents will be taken by befriending volunteers and given to their clients in their homes.

If you would like to donate an unwrapped gift, you can drop it to Morgan Parkes Recruitment at 1 Old Warwick Road, Hockley Heath B94 6HH (opposite The Wharf pub), or contact them on the details below and they can collect. The gifts must be new and in their original packaging. They will be wrapped by Age UK Solihull volunteers.

Alternatively, Home Instead will have a stand at Tesco Stratford Road between Monday 3 and Sunday 9 December, so if you are out shopping you could add an extra item to your trolley as a gift and drop it to the stand on your way out of the store.

The deadline for gifts is Sunday 9 December, to allow enough time for them to be wrapped for the Christmas lunches on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 December.

Kate Morgan, Director at Morgan Parkes Recruitment, says, “Around 60,000 older people in the West Midlands say they will spend Christmas alone, which is a heart wrenching thought. We are delighted to be teaming up with Age UK Solihull collecting gifts for a fourth year, and it’s fantastic that we also have Home Instead Solihull on board as well.”

Lorraine Hart, Fundraising Manager at Age UK Solihull, says, “These gifts will make such a difference to older people in Solihull. Over 1200 gifts have been donated over previous years, and we are hoping this year’s campaign will be bigger than ever. Thank you to Morgan Parkes and Home Instead Solihull for supporting us.”

David Dunn, Director of Home Instead Senior Care Solihull, adds, “We are really pleased to be involved in this campaign. The gifts we collect could be the only Christmas present that some older people receive. They don’t have to be expensive or elaborate, but they will put a smile on someone’s face this Christmas.”

For more information please contact Morgan Parkes Recruitment on 0121 296 5766 or email: [email protected].

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