VIVIENNE KNAGGS, Ryedale’s Champion for Older People, is on a recruitment drive to help keep a vital lifeline going

I WAS about to begin this week with a headline SOS! HELP! because it seemed at one point as if 30 or so elderly residents could be left high and dry without their regular outing to the luncheon club in Pickering.

What a fuss about nothing, I can hear some of your readers say. But of course most of us are fortunate to be able to move about easily, meet friends when we want to and go anywhere and everywhere. And long may it last.

But give a moment’s thought to those older people, many who live alone, who are often lonely and may find moving about or even doing the shopping an arduous task. To them, a weekly outing for lunch and the chance to socialise is a real lifeline, a valued event which lends colour and vitality to life and helps to keep them fit and alert.

When Harold and Judy Dixon decided, after 17 years of running the Pickering Senior Citizens’ Luncheon Club, that enough was enough (and rightly so), there was some consternation in the camp. Of course they have a supportive committee of helpers, but they needed a new treasurer and an organiser.

The club has ecumenical origins with four or five teams of helpers coming from different churches in the town, and taking it in turns to provide hot meals each week at the WRVS centre. Today, everyone is welcome to help and all offers are gratefully received.

It is certainly time-consuming to organise both the hot meals and the variety of after-lunch activities such as quizzes, speakers, singing groups, entertainers, keep fit, etc. Every 90th birthday is celebrated and helpers visit anyone who is ill at home or in hospital.

They will endeavour also to find transport for people with serious mobility problems.

Then there is funding, which is minimal. The group holds a monthly bring and buy and charges just £4 for an excellent meal.

Harold and Judy have been organising this week after week, month after month for no reward other than knowing that they bring a little sunshine into the lives of others. All the people they have helped and, indeed, the community at large, owe them grateful thanks and will wish them well in the future.

Fortunately, one member of the group, Daphne Bowes is a Good Samaritan and has stepped in to fill the gap. She intends to carry on with business as usual. Mary Bradford is taking over as treasurer.

But it is clear that more volunteers are needed. Pickering is a town with a great community spirit. If there is a need for help it can often be found.

So I do ask those who read this, and who may have some time on their hands, to give support to this very worthwhile cause by phoning Daphne on 01751 475143 and offering their help.