TAVISTOCK’S amazing voluntary effort swung into action on Christmas morning to deliver Christmas to one hundred residents alone or vulnerable this year.

Led by the town’s Rotary club, which had to shelve its annual Christmas Lunch at the United Reformed Church for the second year running because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the day saw 100 turkey lunches cooked and sent out along with presents and Boxing Day treat boxes.

Forty volunteers came from all sectors of the community to lend a hand, not just Rotary club members, with cooking, packing and driving duties shared out. A team of about a dozen from Blue Skies Catering led by Julie Credicott was at the helm.

Everyone received a two course turkey lunch, a present ranging from a cyclamen to biscuits and ‘smellies’ and a Boxing Day box of goodies containing a pasty, sausage roll, pork pie, mince pie, chocolate brownie or carrot cake, three large festive flapjacks, a slice of Christmas cake and a chocolate selection box.

Member of the organising team Rotarian Judy Hirst said: ‘It was a real joy to see so many people giving up their Christmas morning to bring Christmas joy to so many people, We know from the responses that we have already received from our guests that they were delighted to receive such a treat. Thank you to everyone involved.`

Rotarian Graham Parker, who was also heavily involved, said: ‘What a wonderful morning. Despite the weather, people were full of joy and laughter.

‘Every one of the volunteers came with a smile on their faces and the morning came and went in a flash. But, as with every event such as this, it went well because of the immense efforts of the organising team over the previous months.

‘We owe a real debt of thanks to our sponsors. We could not have done this without grant support from Tavistock Locals Help, West Devon Borough and Devon County Councils and we really thank them.

‘We also couldn’t have done this without the wonderful support of local businesses. There are too many to try to name them all here, and we will thank them personally and in social media, but we really must say a special thank you to Sally at Flapjackery, Nigel at the Original Pasty House, Malcolm at Hogs Bottom Garden Delights and the wonderful Dotty at Dot’s Teas! And of course, this would not have been possible at all without the amazing Julie Credicott at Blue Skies Catering. Thank you all.’

The treats were delivered to people who were alone at Christmas or facing hardship, financially or through illness. Some were those who would have attended the lunch at the United Reformed Church and others were referred through Social Services and mental health agencies, schools and churches.