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Christmas cancelled as charity is closed
Annual dinner for elderly and vulnerable faces axe
CHRISTMAS Day has been cancelled for the borough’s loneliest elderly people after staff sickness decimated the charity that runs the annual Mayor’s Christmas Party.
Age Concern will now host a party on December 19 at Sotheby Mews day centre in Highbury.
But many are mourning the loss of the party, which gave those left alone in the holidays somewhere to go on Christmas Day, and has been running for more than 40 years.
Islington is believed to be the only borough left in London to host an annual party for the elderly, lonely and vulnerable on December 25.
Although the Mayor’s office didn’t fund the party, it was named after the first citizen, who would attend every year.
This week, Alan Branigan, vice chairman of the Islington Senior Citizens’ Christmas Day Party Fund, announced the charity was no more.
He said: “The charity has done some fantastic work over the years with the fundraising carried out by the committee members, preparing the food for the party, decorating the venue and organising the entertainment.
“However, for a number of reasons, including ill-health of several committee members, the charity has now dissolved.”
Some have voiced fears for the health of those who find themselves alone on Christmas day.
Labour councillor Joan Coupland, who officiated at the party, which used to be held at Hornsey Boys School when she was mayor, said: “About 200 people would attend. These people need it, they’ve nowhere to go. They get a three-course meal, there’s a band, and dancing. The Territorial Army helps out and they have a good laugh and joke.”
She added: “Now they will just sit indoors and have nothing to do. It’s the loneliest day of the year. They are saying they are putting the money into a party at Sotheby Mews on the 19th. A fat lot of good that will do for those who are alone on Christmas day.”
Islington Mayor Stefan Kasprzyk said: “It’s saddened us as much as it’s saddened everybody. It was really good of the people that organised it and they’ve got to that stage where they haven’t got that strength anymore. The problem is there’s no one to cook the food, arrange the halls. I’m very sad to see an end to a great tradition.”
A council spokesman said: “The good news is that Age Concern will use £7,000 of the charity’s funds to run this year’s events.” |
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