Santa’s Seniors
1284. Suzanne Gunson
1285. Amy Gunson
1286. Lizzie Gunson
Suzanne, Amy and Lizzie Gunson, from Huddersfield, set up ‘Santa’s Seniors’ to deliver Christmas gifts to isolated and vulnerable older people in Huddersfield, aiming to exceed last year’s success of reaching over 700 people and delivering 2,184 presents.
Suzanne and her two daughters Amy and Lizzie were inspired to set up the initiative in 2016 as a way of bringing joy to older people with few close friends or family nearby at Christmas and may be spending the day alone. Backed by Age UK Calderdale and Kirklees, the trio wrap all gift donations in their front room and produce homemade Christmas cards before distributing to people in need across the area.
In a personal letter to Suzanne, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“I know you do this with no thought of praise or reward, but allow me to offer my own recognition of how you are bringing joy on Christmas day to isolated and vulnerable older people, tackling the loneliness that can be felt by so many on this day.”
In a personal letter to Amy, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“I know you do this with no thought of praise or reward, but allow me to offer my own recognition of how you are bringing a smile to the faces of older people across Huddersfield who would otherwise be alone or feeling isolated at Christmas.”
In a personal letter to Lizzie, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“I know you do this with no thought of praise or reward, but allow me to offer my own recognition of how you are helping those for whom Christmas can be a lonely time with gifts, company and good cheer.”
Suzanne, Amy and Lizzie said:
“We are greatly honoured and touched to receive the Points of Light Award in recognition of ‘Santa’s Seniors’. But this tremendous accolade must shared with our team of incredible ‘Elf Helpers’, who’ve enabled us to grow so much since we first reached 73 recipients in 2016. For Christmas 2019, 36 volunteers wrapped, and many cases delivered, 4,026 individual donated gifts to give 1,342 ladies and gents three pressies each. It’s a joy to make Christmas a little brighter for isolated and vulnerable elderly people.”