VOLUNTEERS and businesses in Chipping Sodbury rallied round with festive cheer to give isolated and vulnerable elderly residents a big Christmas lunch.

An army of school mums from St John’s Mead Primary School were joined by the town mayor and helpers from across South Gloucestershire to serve up the third annual event on Friday (December 2).

More than 30 guests, including people facing Christmas alone and others who struggle to leave their homes particularly in winter, were treated to the completely free five-course dinner at the Masonic Lodge on Hatters Lane as well as an array of entertainment including carol singing, a visit from Father Christmas and a free raffle.

The St John’s Mead school choir also performed at the lunch, which was started in 2014 by the Chipping Sodbury Big Lunch committee as an alternative to the group’s main event in June.

“Our summer Big Lunch on Broad Street is now a staple in the Chipping Sodbury calendar and enjoyed by thousands of people each year,” said committee chairman Alexandra Womack.

“But we were aware some people with accessibility needs and who are elderly and frail were not able to join in so we decided to ‘give something back’ to those members of our community and hold a special Christmas lunch just for them.

“Over the three years we have improved what we do and this year we ran free transport with the great help of Green Community Travel.

“We have received so much support this year with funding from Cllr Rob Creer through South Gloucestershire Council’s Member Awarded Funding and a grant from the Chipping Sodbury Town Lands’ Charity.”

Donations of food, raffle prizes and gifts for all guests to take home were also received from Hobbs House Bakery, Tesco, Waitrose, Chipping Sodbury Motor Company, The Squire Inn, Cotswold Celebration Company and a group of Chipping Sodbury School pupils who bought soup for everyone with their pocket money.

“It was a wonderful show of community spirit,” added Alexandra. “We cannot thank everyone who helped enough. The smiles on our guests’ faces as they left was the best early Christmas present we could have wished for.”

For more information search Chipping Sodbury Big Lunch on Facebook or email alexandra.womack@hotmail.co.uk