A CAMPAIGN to support older people at Christmas will help to swap isolation for joy.
The Link Visiting Scheme, a charity that tackles loneliness, has been running a Kindness Tree scheme for a second year.
People choosing a gift tag from one of the group’s special festive trees can either buy a present for an older person from a prepared Amazon gift list, or make a donation to The Link.
Last year, says senior fundraising manager Liz McDaniel, the scheme began with seven trees.
“This year, the Kindness Tree has grown at an incredible rate,” she said.
“We have 19 trees dotted around the borough.”
The campaign will raise funds to support the Link’s work throughout December, including a Christmas Day event with traditional seasonal lunch at a local venue, friends to talk to, and a gift of treats.
For many, Christmas Day is a day for family, for getting together and celebrating with loved ones.
But for others, it can be a difficult day where isolation, loss and grief are even more keenly felt.
“We rely heavily on donations to support those in our community who need us most,” said Liz.
“With the borough’s help, we can bring festive cheer to many older people who would otherwise face the season alone.
“For many of our Link Friends this may be the only gift they receive this Christmas.”
Donations to the scheme will also help the charity to support older people through the coldest months of the year.
The Link Visiting Scheme is an award-winning charity dedicated to reducing loneliness in Wokingham Borough.
For more than 26 years, it has brought life-enhancing social connections to older people through regular visits and local community activities.
Supported by 420 volunteers, it currently helps 550 people feel valued and connected.
The Christmas Day lunch is a prime example of what the group does all year; providing good company, warmth, a festive meal together, treats, and gifts.
Kindness Trees supporting the charity this year can be found at:
Berkshire Physiotherapy
Cala Homes Thames and Legal & General Homes
David Cliff Estate Agents
Earley Town Council
Field Seymour Parkes Solicitors (as part of the FSP Foundation)
Fiona Parry Boutique
Intersurgical
Maya’s Refillables
Nuffield Health & Wellbeing Gym
Phil’s Good Food
Places Leisure (Arborfield Green Leisure Centre, Bulmershe Leisure Centre, Loddon Valley Leisure Centre, Ryeish Green Leisure Centre, and Wokingham Leisure Centre)
Stitchery Do
Wokingham Town Council
and Woodley Town Council
“We want to thank all the businesses offering their support to the Kindness Tree 2024,” continued Liz.
“Thank you to everyone for helping to making sure that no older person in Wokingham will go without this Christmas.
“We tend to think of children at this time of year, but let’s remember our senior residents too.”
All purchased unwrapped gifts need to be returned to their Kindness Tree before Monday, December 16.
But financial donations to the charity, to help support older people through the winter months, can be made until the end of January, by visiting: localgiving.org/fundraising/ChristmasLink
For information, visit: linkvisiting.org/christmas
