A social-action group in Peasedown St John has launched a fundraising appeal to help combat loneliness among the elderly.

The village’s Residents’ Association, set up in 2013, wants to ensure older and vulnerable people have someone to talk to, and opportunities to ‘get out and about’.

Association Secretary, Nathan Hartley, said: “We have set ourselves the ambitious target of raising £1,000 by 1st December! Part of the project involves cooking a hot Christmas meal during December for lonely, older and vulnerable people in Peasedown St John.

“In order for this to happen though, we need to secure the funds within the next six weeks, either in financial donations or in goods.”

Working across Peasedown St John, the group has hosted social events, brought members of the community together and seen other achievements, too, such as:

• Organising summer parties for families from disadvantaged backgrounds

• Started work on a new, dementia-friendly, sensory garden

• Set up a job search weekly drop-in where people looking for employment can use the internet for free

• Raised money to support a new community library that will act as a lifeline for those that need access to services.

Last week, the Residents’ Association’s new Fundraising Team met to put together a plan of action to raise the necessary funds.

The team – Joy Gosz, Karen Walker, Richard Clarke and Nathan Hartley – have written to local businesses, applied for grants and appealed to organisations like Curo to help them reach the target.

Cllr Karen Walker added: “If we can secure this funding, up to 100 people will be fed during December at a variety of events. Otherwise, many could lose out, due to having no family living nearby. Any donation will make a real difference to the lives of older and vulnerable people this winter time.

“Whether it’s a financial contribution or a donation of goods – we would love to hear from you if you would like to offer your support.”

What the £1,000 will cover: food/produce (£200), freezer (£200), toaster (£40), microwave (£50), kitchen utensils (£100), saucepans (£60), stainless steel table (£250), printer (£100). For more information, and to support the appeal, email: [email protected]

Update: As we were going to press, the Radstock and Midsomer Norton Lions had donated money to help buy a microwave for the loneliness appeal. A spokesperson for the club said told The Journal: “Whilst studies show that loneliness can be seriously detrimental to our health, causing heart problems, depression or worse, it is also proven that strong relationships with others can help

relieve stress, improve our immune systems and give meaning to our lives.

“This is why the Radstock and Midsomer Norton Lions responded to an appeal from Peasedown St John Residents’ Association, giving them a microwave to help a project they are running in December to cook a hot Christmas meal for people in the village to get out and about and share a meal and meet others.”

Lion President, Rob Jameson, who handed over the microwave, said: “This is just the kind of activity that the Lions like to support, and we are very happy to assist with such a worthwhile project.”