LIKE so many, the planned festivities at Farnham’s Brightwells Gostrey Centre of a traditional Christmas lunch for its social centre clients had to change because of the Omicron surge.

However, refusing to be beaten, the dedicated staff and volunteers hit the road, donning festive hats, delivering present bags and cards during the Christmas week to make sure no-one missed out.

The kitchen team were also up early on Wednesday, December 22, working hard to prepare Christmas dinner with all the trimmings as part of the charity’s regular Community Meal Service (CMS).

John Ely, chairman of Brightwells Gostrey, said: "We were very disappointed to not be able to celebrate Christmas with our clients as hoped.

"Despite the change of plans, it was wonderful to still be able to share some festive cheer."

Charity manager Jessica Wells added: "After another challenging year, we continue to be blown away by the sense of community spirit in Farnham.

"Each one of our gift bags was generously filled with donations of chocolate, shortbread, puzzle books, postcards, plants from Waitrose, Southern Co-op and Squires Garden Centre, as well as wrapped presents from the offices of Clifton Ingram Solicitors.

"Once again Alice Butcher, community partner at Waitrose, provided all the ingredients for our chefs to create a delicious Christmas dinner for everyone to enjoy.

"We remain extremely grateful to all our supporters, as well as our invaluable staff and volunteers, who are helping us to make a difference to the older and most vulnerable members of our community."