Christmas week of giving | Swansea City host Christmas Dinner for seniors likely to be alone at Christmas

Swansea City first-team players joined forces with Home Instead’s 'Be Santa to a Senior' campaign to host a free three-course Christmas dinner for seniors who are likely to spend Christmas alone.

The meal was hosted at the club’s Fairwood Training Ground and welcomed nearly 30 seniors – many of whom are lifelong Jacks – to join together for a free three-course meal provided by the Swans head chef Chris Watkins and his team.

Food was provided free of charge by Arthur David and I.G Mooney Butchers, while Turners Coachways offered free travel to the training ground for those who needed it. Westacres provided decorations to add a little extra festive cheer to the event.

There was a special surprise for the guests too as their waiters were first-team players Liam Cullen, Cyrus Christie, Jon McLaughlin and Harry Darling, who took time to chat with their guests between serving courses.

Darling said: “It’s been really fun to meet everyone. Me and the boys that have done it have enjoyed it and it’s been nice to have a little chat with everyone.”

Among the seniors was David, who served in the army and recently celebrated his 101st birthday. David has travelled the world but believes there is nowhere better than Southgate, Swansea.

He – along with many of the other invitees – may go days or even weeks without seeing anyone, but he loves meeting new people and relished the opportunity to catch up with other people over Christmas lunch.

Kate Webb, marketing manager of Home Instead Swansea, said: “For a lot of the people here, the Swans a big part of their lives. So to get to meet people, but also to meet the people from the team they’ve been watching for decades; it’s been pretty amazing.”

Thank you to Arthur David, I.G Mooney Butchers, Turners Coachways and Westacres for supporting with the event.