Party thrown for 200 people facing Christmas alone

A party has been held for 200 people who may be facing Christmas feeling alone, vulnerable or isolated.

Coventry Building Society Arena, home of Coventry City Football Club, was one of eight venues across the UK hosting One Day at Christmas.

Guests were having a Christmas dinner and being treated to live entertainment from X Factor finalist Charlie Healy, as well as dancing and games.

Organisations involved, including Sky Blues in the Community, Saheli Group and Age UK, have also run a range of programmes across the city and surrounding areas for those people who feel isolated.

Dave Busst, from Sky Blues in the Community, the city football club's charity arm, said: "What we want to do is highlight the awareness around isolation, if we can reach out to somebody at this particular time, because not everyone has friends, family, people they can call on.

"You'll get like-minded other people.

"Sometimes, whether it's bereavement, or they've lost someone recently – usually if it's around Christmas it brings back memories.

"Not everyone wants to talk but they just like being around that sort of atmosphere of people enjoying themselves."

Raymond Constable, 75, from Ryton-on-Dunsmore, lost his wife of 46 years to cancer in 2016.

The retired forklift truck driver, who has been joining social groups, said: "I was at home, alone, down and isolated.

"I needed something as I felt like I had nothing left in my life, but now I have."

He said the social groups had "snowballed into a group of new friends".

Paul Michael, the arena's managing director, said: "Christmas is a special time, but it can also be a difficult time for many people. We hope that this event can make a difference."

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