Over £1000 was raised for a Christmas Day lunch for the borough’s elderly people last weekend at a charity party at the Stanley Arms, Bermondsey.
The fundraising celebration took place on December 5, with all proceeds going towards Bermondsey Care for the Elderly’s festive meal, which allows lonely elderly people in the borough to spend Christmas together.
Phil Burkett, who organised the fundraising party with Natasha Nicholls, the daughter of Stanley Arms owners Roy and Julie, said: “It was a fantastic night. The place was busy, everyone dug deep and we raised a lot of money.
“It was a lovely atmosphere, and the people and businesses of Bermondsey all gave so generously. There were so many prizes donated that the raffle just went on and on!” He said that the Christmas Day lunch was a “great cause”, and praised Coral Newell and her Bermondsey Care for the Elderly team as a “band of angels.”
He said: “The idea of elderly people being alone at Christmas is just tragic, it shouldn’t happen. If I can help just a little bit, I’d do it every year. I’m just one cog in a massive machine.”
He added his thanks to Natasha Nicholls, Professor Alison Leary and everyone who “dug deep” to help give the borough’s elderly people a Christmas to remember.You can also donate for Bermondsey Care for the Elderly’s Christmas Day lunch at www.bermondseycares.wordpress.com