A supermarket has got into the festive spirit by helping an over 50s centre fund their Christmas party.

The Ruth Winston Centre in Green Lanes, Palmers Green, received a £550 grant from Waitrose to ensure they had a festive party for their members this year.

The generosity comes as part of the supermarket’s Christmas isolation campaign to support the elderly and vulnerable in the community.

As a result, the centre threw a get-together for its 53 members which included a home-cooked three-course meal and carol singing as the merrymaking continued throughout the day.

Centre manager Yvonne Quigley said: “We are so excited to have received this grant from Waitrose; the branch has been a great support to the Centre since it opened. It has meant we could invite so many more members to the party, especially those who are on their own and in need of a good meal and company.

“The volunteers worked so hard to put the day together and it all went off very smoothly. Everyone said it was the best Christmas dinner they had ever eaten and they all had a good sing and chatted to new people.”

Staff members Jean Waller and Mary Savas added: “It was so lovely to see our members enjoying themselves and getting a nutritious hot meal. That’s what the centre is all about and we are so pleased to be able to do something so great for them. Ruth Winston would have been proud to see them all having a Christmas to remember.”