WITH one in three elderly people in Warrington affected by loneliness, two charities are calling on residents to organise Christmas Day events.

Loneliness affects 34 per cent of elderly people in the town and Friends of the Elderly and Community Christmas are urging people to set up events on December 25 to ensure nobody has to be alone.

The charities have suggested activities like Christmas dinners, festive walks or film screenings, and the events will be added to a website to notify older residents about them.

Steve Allen, chief executive of Friends of the Elderly, said: “We know that loneliness has a devastating impact on older people’s lives and that Christmas Day, traditionally a time for family, can be an especially difficult time for those with no family and friends around.

“With the kindness and dedication of activity organisers more and more older people will have somewhere they can go on Christmas Day to enjoy the company of others.

“Together we can make this Christmas on to remember for thousands of older people across the country.”

One Warrington event already on the site is the Salvation Army’s free event with a Christmas dinner at their base on Academy Street.

Caroline Billington, founder of Community Christmas, added: “It is so fantastic when we get a call from an older person and are able to find a place where they will be welcomed on Christmas Day, whether it is a care home opening their doors, tea and cake in a community hall or a trip to the local pub.

“Not only does this mean these older people have somewhere to go on Christmas Day but quite often we hear of them forming friendships to last them the whole year through, which is what it is all about.”

For more information visit fote.org.uk/Christmas or to book for the Salvation Army’s Christmas dinner email donna.coupe@salvationarmy.org.uk or call 415 000 – free transport is provided for guests.