World Kindness Day donation to Blyth Food Bank

WORLD Kindness Day saw care home residents and staff donating dozens of cans of food to help those in need.

Cans of beans, vegetables and meat, bags of crisps and boxes of instant soup were collected by The Oaks Care Home, in Blyth, Northumberland.

The home’s residents helped pack a basket full of essentials before staff delivered the care package to Blyth Food Bank.

Reverend Yvonne Tracey and Kath Bolam, who both volunteer at the food bank, thanked the home for the donations.

Reverend Tracey said: “It was so kind of the home to think of us. Our service users will benefit from that kindness.”

Angela Hedley, activities coordinator at The Oaks Care Home, on Durban Street, was one of those who delivered the items, alongside housekeeper Lesley Russell.

Angela said: “We all wanted to show kindness to someone and thought this was a good cause. And it helps build good links with the local community.”

Care home resident Elsie Paterson said: “It was a very Godly thing to do and I can remember doing it when I was younger at the church.

Fellow resident Ann Wallace said: “I thought it was a good thing to do as we are so well fed here. We all wanted to help others.”

Alongside their charitable activities, residents were treated to entertainment from Alex McRae, who had the residents singing and dancing to the classics.

Ann Mielnik, home manager at The Oaks Care Home, said: “We’re always looking for ways to help others in the local community and World Kindness Day was a great opportunity to do a collection for the food bank.

“We’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone who donated, as all the food will go a long way to helping those in need.

“We also wanted to treat residents as part of the day, so invited Alex to perform in the lounge. He put on a brilliant performance and everyone had a great time.”