A CHRISTMAS lunch in Wokingham, for around 80 older residents and members of a day centre, went ahead despite a power outage.
With the Wade Day Centre’s energy supply due to be cut off for maintainance just days before the charity’s annual Christmas meal there, chair of trustees Philip Mirfin had been trying to find an alternative power source that would enable the group’s members to enjoy festive lunch together.
Without power, the event would have had to be cancelled, as foods in the charity’s freezers and fridges would have defrosted, and meal preparations would not have been possible.
The situation was rescued by the generosity of Wokingham resident and managing director of Heidelberg Materials, Gareth Day, who stepped in to provide a temporary generator for the charity at his company’s cost.
As a result, the event was not cancelled as had been feared, and the Wade community was able to celebrate Christmas together.
Mr Mirfin said: We were so pleased to have been able to hold our Christmas Lunch for just short of eighty members, volunteers and dignitaries at Wade.
“The lunch had previously been in doubt when Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks had refused to postpone the power cut planned for two days before the lunch on December 16.
“The risk to the prepared foods in refrigerators and freezers was a big worry, but the day was saved by Heidelberg Materials, who very kindly sourced and provided us with a generator on the day, keeping all the food safe and allowing us to open as usual.
“The event was a great success, managed by our cook and care staff along with the charity’s trustees, and especially our manager Elaine.
“And a big thank you, too, to Wokingham in Need for sponsoring our entertainment.”
For information, visit: wadecentre.org.uk and wokinghaminneed.com
