TWO Warrington residents have set up a service aiming to tackle loneliness in the elderly this Christmas.

Hayley Roberts from Penketh and Emma Davis from Lymm have set up Hope Tea, which aims to ensure elderly residents get to see someone else on Christmas Day and get a present to open.

They have appealed for people to donate gifts and have received responses from as far afield as Aberdeen and Pembrokshire The pair are also looking for people to nominate elderly people who would benefit from the donations and people to help deliver the gifts on Christmas Day.

Emma, aged 26, said: “Research that we carried out showed us that many pensioners in our communities will go the whole of Christmas day without seeing or speaking to anyone and some may not even have a present to open.

“We decided that our mission is to turn their loneliness into happiness – Hope Tea will be offering a gift delivery service this Christmas Day.

Hayley, aged 32, added: “We are now taking Christmas gift donations and we have a number of local drop off locations – we have even had offers in Pembrokshire and Aberdeen.

“We are now taking nominations of those elderly people who will be on their own over Christmas – if members of the public know of anyone who would benefit from our services then please do get in contact with us.

“Let’s put a smile on an elderly pensioners face this Christmas.”

Ideas for gift donations include biscuits, food hampers, plants, books, puzzles, slippers, dressing gowns, pyjamas, blankets, scarves, hats, gloves, children’s drawings or Christmas cards.

To donate a gift, nominate an elderly person for a gift or volunteer to deliver presents on Christmas Day email info@hopetea.org or visit hopetea.org.