Elderly folk in Jarrow are in for a real festive treat with the distribution of 20 Christmas hamper bags across the town.
Councillor Tom Hanson, Chairman of Jarrow Community Area Forum, stopped by the PHAB Club in Jarrow to help pack up the hamper bags, which have been paid for by the Forum and the Kesley Trust.
Councillor Hanson said: "The festive season often passes by many older people as they struggle to make ends meet and have little left over for the luxuries that many of us take for granted. It's important that we do not forget older people, especially at this time of year.
"I'm delighted that the Jarrow Community Area Forum has been able to contribute towards these hamper bags. They are a godsend and there's no doubt that they will bring some Christmas joy to some of the elderly members of our community."
The Kelsey Trust was established in 1959 on the death of local journalist Edward Taylor Kelsey from Jarrow.
He bequeathed shares in the town's Mercantile Dry Dock Company to the Mayor, Town Clerk and Rector of Jarrow, with instructions the money be used for the teaching and encouragement of swimming and life-saving among local schoolchildren, and the provision of Christmas gifts for the needy and old folk in Jarrow.
Caption: Councillor Tom Hanson packs one of the Kelsey Trust hamper bags alongside Debbie Burn of the PHAB Club, watched by (back left to right) Caroline Ogden and Fran Fawkes of the Council's Adult Social Care Service.
Pres/caf/jar/khpr606ck
