South Leeds Live At Home Scheme (SLLAHS) had planned to hold a party to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE Day today (8 May 2020). With the Coronavirus lockdown their members couldn’t come together, so SLLAHS took the party to their members.
Yesterday a team of volunteers took packs including a scone, butter, jam and a drink to 300 older people across Beeston, Cottingley and Hunslet, so that they could join ‘The Nation’s Toast’ at 3pm today with a cuppa and a scone. The packs were decorated with bunting flags, many of which had been drawn by local children who had also added messages.
Staff and volunteers at SLLAHS have been doing their best to keep in touch with their members, making thousands of telephone calls since the lockdown started. But it was clear that seeing a friendly face at the door, as well as the gift, meant a great deal to the older people I visited.
The packs were made possible by a generous donation of 300 scones from Morrisons, organised by Debbie Wren who is the Community Champion at their Hunslet store. Debbie also helped with deliveries of the packs.
Donations towards the packs were also received from Asda, Bookers and DePuy Synthes.
I liked the photos of the people that got bags but i did not get a bag for today
They managed to get to 300 of their 900 members and promise to bring out other treats to members who missed out this time.