By Chelsey Ward
A HULL couple spending their first Christmas together are sharing the special day with more than 20 elderly people who would normally spend the festival season alone.
Nick and Debbie Crohn, who got married in September, are organising a Christmas Day feast at Willerby Methodist Church where they tied the knot and where they plan to serve Christmas dinner followed by films and games.
Nick, 46, of the Avenues area in Hull said: “I’ve always enjoyed spending Christmas with others, when I was younger I used to visit geriatric wards and talk to the patients around this time of the year.
“I’m an only child so my Christmas was only me, mum and dad so it is nice to have a lot of people together.”
Nick, who also preaches at Willerby Methodist Church, said they are having the meat donated to them and they are funding the rest of the food, but said the cost of the food will be no more than the cost of two people eating out at a restaurant.
Willerby Methodist Church, the location for Nick and Debbie’s wedding, and where they will serve Christmas lunch for people who will be on their own during the festive season
Debbie, 44, said: “We’re lucky enough to have a family, we thought it’d be great for those who don’t have that for Christmas.
“I’ve got a real passion for people and have previously volunteered at Christmas in a hospital, singing to and with patients – this was at a time when I also spent Christmas alone.”
Debbie said their families will be helping out on the day so that they can all spend their Christmas together.
Christmas is known for spending precious time with your family and loved ones however, for over half a million elderly people they are facing this time of the year alone.
Helena Herklots, services director at Age UK, a charity which works with elderly people, said: “Christmas is a time for giving and sharing love and friendship. By popping in to check on an older neighbour we know and by making time for older relatives we can all help to make sure that everyone has a happy and warm Christmas.”
Margaret Mclean, 74, of Mayfair Place, Tuxford, Nottinghamshire, is one of those who spends the season on her own. She said: “Christmas has become very lonely for me. I lost my husband of 52 years at the end of December 2014 so last year was my first Christmas without him, which I found very hard, especially when it came to Christmas day.
“We haven’t got a big family so there is no-one I could really see. You don’t want to get in the way as everyone has their own little family, you don’t want to feel a burden. I think things like this are great, it really will make someone’s Christmas.”