Councillor Keith Girling will continue to cook meals for pensioners at Cleveland Square Community Centre, Newark following successful Christmas dinner event

A Christmas initiative that provided over 40 meals for veterans and pensioners will carry on throughout winter following concerns for pensioners affected by the loss of Winter Fuel Allowance.

Following the success of this year’s free Christmas dinner, Keith Girling has decided to cook meals for pensioners two Sundays a month from January 26 until May 4.

He said: “When the government took away the winter fuel allowance to people, I know that in Newark there's a lot of pensioners that missed out for the winter fuel allowance for the sake of something like 49 pence, some of them even less.

“Because they don't get the pensioners tax credits and they miss out on that by 40 pence, that means they also don't get the winter fuel allowance.

“The thought of people sitting there freezing to death and not eating really worries me so I thought, what can I do about it?

“And this is my answer, to try and do something to try and help.”

Four years ago, Keith started giving part of his Christmas Day to the community and cooking free meals for veterans at Cleveland Square Community Centre in Newark.

The initiative started when Keith first heard that somebody was spending Christmas on their own, so he decided to cook an extra Christmas dinner as he said “it doesn’t take a lot of effort to cook an extra one”.

This year, the initiative expanded to pensioners this Christmas, following the cut on winter fuel allowance, which will impact millions of pensioners across the country.

Mr Girling has created a JustGiving page to raise £1,000 for the community project, which will help afford the Sunday dinner bills.

The Sunday Dinner for pensioners will take place at Cleveland Square Community Centre in Newark from 12noon until around 2pm, and there are 36 spaces available.

Along with a warm meal, pensioner will be able to meet new people and take part in bingo games and potentially be surprised with entertainment such as live music.

Those interested in going for a meal and a laugh can text Keith Girling on 07973305598.

Mr Girling added: “It's not just about the food, it's about having a safe, warm space for people to come along and meet like-minded people.

“Maybe even make new friendships and things, it's about the whole interaction with other people as well.”

The dates booked for the lunch to take place are January 26, February 9, February 23, March 9, March 23, April 6, April 20, and May 4.

If the cold prevails after May 4, Mr Girling will organise a few more free meals until the weather gets warmer.

Over 40 people have come forward to volunteer on the different days and several businesses across the area have shown their support with either food or money donations.

“I'm blown away by the number of people who came forward because when I was thinking ‘I need to do something’ — but you're worried that you're doing it on your own and because of the size of the task, you fail.

“It's absolutely amazing and I know it's going to work.”