Volunteers are planning to beat the Covid-19 pandemic with a three-day treat for vulnerable people home alone at Christmas.

The pandemic has ruled out a traditional Christmas lunch at Tavistock’s United Reformed Church because of social distancing regulations.

So volunteers from Tavistock Locals Help are planning to take Christmas cheer to people who need it within a three-mile radius of the West Devon town.

And organisers say they will be happy to provide a listening ear to lonely people who just want somebody to talk to.

Organiser and West Devon Councillor Steve Hipsey said: ‘Yet again, the wonderful people of Tavistock are rallying round to help people who need the support of their community at this incredibly stressful time. We fully understand why, in the current pandemic, it hasn’t been possible this year, to organise the traditional Christmas Day Lunch at the United Reformed Church and we look forward to seeing it return in 2021.

‘But, we thought, if we can’t get people to their Christmas lunch this year, let’s get Christmas lunch to people, and the reaction from volunteers and businesses has already been superb.

‘We aim to deliver to Tavistock and Whitchurch and also to an area covering Mary Tavy, Sampford Spiney, Horrabridge, Gulworthy and Lamerton. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and volunteers, there will be no charge for these packages but we can only provide a limited number, so we will need to work on the basis of first come, first served. It is important for people to book as soon as possible.’

Co-organiser and town councillor Ursula Mann added: ‘We know from our experience of lockdown, delivering to people who are shielding and supporting families who rely on free school meals, that there are many people in and around Tavistock who are alone and lonely in their homes and others for whom a Christmas dinner is only a fond memory.

‘We are inviting people to contact us in the next couple of weeks and we will aim to deliver a festive package bringing Christmas to them three times.

‘On Christmas Eve we will bring a small gift to welcome Christmas, on Christmas Day we will bring a Christmas dinner with all of the trimmings and on Boxing Day, a traditional Boxing Day box.

Julie Credicott, proprietor of Blue Skies Catering (pictured right with Father Christmas), will prepare Christmas lunch and said: ‘When I heard what Tavistock Locals Help are proposing for Christmas, I just knew that we had to be a part of it. Too many people will go without a traditional Christmas dinner this year, and I can’t think of a better way to spend Christmas Day than helping to bring a bit of Christmas cheer to them.’

Organisers have thanked staff and students of Mount Kelly School for offering to pack the Boxing Day Boxes.

To volunteer to help with delivery, please contact TLH by email at [email protected] or ring Steve Hipsey on 07557 050 754.

To book a TLH Christmas package or to offer help with fundraising or presents, please contact Graham Parker at [email protected] or phone him on 07545 075942.