Charities, groups and organisations providing free lunches for the elderly this Christmas are being urged to take advantage of a helping hand.

The Nottinghamshire Community Foundation (NCF), an independent charity, is offering grants to cover the costs of an event or for groups to add extra lunches.

The chief executive of the NCF, Nina Dauban, said: “We are so grateful to those willing volunteers who remember the vulnerable and provide a special lunch for them over the Christmas period.

“It is a time when those who are alone feel the most isolated and we at the community foundation want to help show them we care.”

Among the first recipients of a grant was the Tin Hat Centre, Selston, which is staging an event over the festive period for the elderly.

It aims to provide more than 200 Christmas meals for the elderly for a second successive year and also wants to offer a festive meal to the I’m Phab and boccia disability groups it works with.

Volunteers help to prepare the meals, including vegetables donated from the Co-op Foodshare scheme, and create a festive atmosphere.

The centre was awarded £358.50 to cover a homemade two-course Christmas meal with mince pies and mints for 30 people.

Any group wanting to apply for a grant should email [email protected]

The Community Foundation has launched an appeal asking people to show their support for those in need this winter.

It is asking those who can afford to give up the Winter Fuel Payment (WFP), which is paid to the over-60s, to donate the money to those for whom it is not enough.

Nina said: “We believe if a small percentage (of people) could donate their WFP, we will be able to help many vulnerable and elderly people.”

Nearly 300 vulnerable people die in Nottinghamshire each winter from causes directly attributable to the cold.

To donate, send a cheque to Nottinghamshire Community Foundation, Pine House B, Ransom Wood Business Park, Southwell Road West, Mansfield, marking the envelope Surviving Winter Fund.

Pictured above is Nina Dauban, left, presenting a cheque for £358.50 to staff at the Tin Hat Centre, Selston, manager Paulette Sturman, right, cafe manager Vicky Renshaw, second left, and administrator Joy Kellington.