Our annual Christmas party saw 400 older residents gather at the Novotel hotel in Hammersmith to celebrate the festive season.
Hammersmith & Fulham Council throws the party every year, with help from local charity H&F Giving and all the generous residents and businesses who donated or volunteered to make the party a success.
The local residents were joined by Cllr Patricia Quigley, Mayor of H&F, Cllr Alex Sanderson, Deputy Leader of H&F, Cllr Daryl Brown, Deputy Mayor of H&F, and Cllr Rowan Ree, H&F Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform. Cllr Zarar Qayyum, H&F Cabinet Member for Enterprise and Skills, Cllr Helen Rowbottom, Ben Coleman, MP for Chelsea and Fulham and Andy Slaughter, MP for Hammersmith and Chiswick also attended.
And entertainment included the Pearly Queen and Princesses of Fulham, a jazz band and Father Christmas himself.
See all the pictures from the day
Cllr Sanderson said:
We know that Christmas can be a very difficult time of year for lots of people. And it's amazing that we're able to combat that by offering a fun, cheerful, welcoming place where those who would otherwise be alone can celebrate the day with neighbours and new friends. Thank you to everyone who made it possible."
The party – hosted at Novotel London West – included a festive meal, live music by Vivid Jazz, dancing, gift bags, a raffle and free transport to the party and back for every guest that needed it.
The celebration was made possible thanks to donations from local businesses and residents, the help of 65 volunteers and our partnership with H&F Giving.
Supporting hand
The day wouldn't have been possible without donations and support from local businesses in H&F.
The Hurlingham Club Foundation was the event's headline supporter.
Donations also came from The Calleva Foundation, Dr Edwards and Bishop King's Fulham Charity, Olympia London, The Julia Rausing Trust, Hammersmith BID, and local landscape design and construction firm Shoots & Leaves.
The Earls Court Development Company funded each guest's goody bag. Gifts included hand cream, candles, a foot massager, essential oils and toiletries.
The Friends of Brook Green sponsored a table and Blueprint Partners made the event's promotional videos pro bono and donated to the day too. Novotel London West hosted the day and donated the turkeys for lunch.
And local resident Anil Patel, owner of small business Photo Booths First, volunteered his time and equipment to provide a photobooth for the day.
"I wanted to do something positive for the community and the Big Christmas Lunch gave me the opportunity to do just that," he said. "I think it is a brilliant event and I'm glad I could contribute in a positive way."
Anil, who's hoping to join in the fun next year too, designed the printouts to include the event's name and date, so that guests could keep photos as a memento from the day.
Get involved
There's still time to donate to our Big Christmas Lunch.
Visit H&F Giving's dedicated webpage to give a one-off donation of any amount.
Any excess money raised will go towards engagement activities for older and vulnerable residents in H&F later this year.
