Community lunch hopes to tackle loneliness at Christmas

Businessmen in the Borders are pulling together in a bid to tackle loneliness on Christmas Day.

Four friends from Peebles are hosting a free community get-together on 25 December for anyone who could do with some company with nearly 30 guests already signed up.

The nearby Macdonald Cardrona Hotel has agreed to provide one of its function suites for the event - as well as a full Christmas lunch.

Calum Stewart, who is vice chair of the Peebles and District Round Table, said: "It's a Christmas party where everyone will be welcomed with a smile, a glass of sherry and plenty of company during the afternoon."

Studies have found that around one-in-ten adults in Scotland will spend Christmas Day on their own.

While the community lunch at Cardrona hopes to reach out to many of them, the growing guest list also includes older couples and single parent families.

Mr Stewart added: "We've had referrals from people who live overseas that couldn't get back for Christmas and didn't want someone being on their own.

"All of our own families have bought into doing this, and they have agreed to help with serving, washing up and even transport.

"It wasn't a hard sell - the idea you can do something for other people on Christmas Day is special."

The community event is being planned by Peebles and District Round Table members, Mr Stewart and Tim Feist, along with GP, Dr Ross Stewart, and local farmer, Matt Griffin.

Although the Macdonald Cardrona Hotel will be busy with its own guests throughout the festive period, bosses agreed to convert one of their function suites into an additional dining area for the event.

Regional manager Jamie Mackie said it was a "great opportunity" to strengthen links with the local community.

"We think this is a fabulous idea and we're looking forward to welcoming everyone on Christmas Day," he added.

Organisers hope that close to 100 people will take them up on the offer of a community Christmas lunch.

As well as lunch, drinks and even transport - if required - the Tweed Valley community get-together is being used as a pilot to gauge its popularity.

Matt Griffin, from the organising group, said it was open to anyone from the Peebles and Innerleithen area and could become an annual event.

Anyone who wishes to refer someone for the community lunch can contact the group via email., external