A community club in Romsey is opening its doors to offer a free meal for anyone who is alone or vulnerable on Christmas Day.
The Romsey Royal British Legion Club on Love Lane typically play live music on a Saturday night, host bingo on a Wednesday and have members down for tribute acts at the weekend.
But on December 25, its team will be hosting all comers in their large function room, as staff look to give back to a community that have been ‘fantastic’ to them.
“We were contacted by one of our members who was aware of someone who was going to be by himself at Christmas,” said Mary Hillman, secretary at Romsey Royal British Legion Club.
“He asked if we had any ideas, and we knew we had to do something."
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The club will be supplying a free meal, dessert and drink to all guests, and if enough money is raised, they will also be looking to give out a small present to everyone that comes down too.
“We are inviting anyone who is by themselves or maybe a bit vulnerable or feels a bit isolated,” Mary said.
“We’ve got the facilities to do something nice, so we know that it’s our responsibility to do it.”
The club is encouraging those who are interested in coming down to fill out a form of their interests, so that they can be sat with like-minded people on Christmas Day.
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“If one person likes trains, and another person likes trains, it makes sense to put them together,” Mary said.
“It’s been difficult for a lot of people over the last few years, particularly the elderly and those in isolation.
“So really for us, this event is all about someone creating that spark with another person. Sparking up a relationship, a connection.”
The Romsey Royal British Legion club is currently appealing for donations to support the Christmas initiative.
The club is also hosting a children’s Christmas party on December 23, where children have the chance to meet Santa.
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