Eastbourne centenarians enjoy birthday doorstep visit from Rotary members

Two Eastbourne ladies have turned 100 and enjoyed a doorstep visit from member of the Rotary Club of Eastbourne just before the lockdown restrictions came in to place.
By Juliet Mead
Published 17th Nov 2020, 16:06 BST
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Eileen Alston and Doris Smith became Eastbourne’s newest centenarians recently.

The ladies were presented with flowers and cards by members of the Rotary Club of Eastbourne.

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Rotarian David Garlick visited cetenarian Eileen Alston and Rotary member Ian Huke went to see Doris Smith.

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Eileen and Doris are both regular guests at the club’s Alone at Christmas party event, which takes place annually on Christmas Day.

The event is for people who would otherwise be alone of Christmas and Rotarians provide a Christmas lunch and entertainment for a church hall full of guests.

Alone at Christmas has sadly been cancelled this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Rotary members have supported many of their clients with regular telephone calls and help with errands, shopping and doctor’s and hospital appointments.

Both Eileen and Doris were treated to doorstep visits and flowers and cards for their special birthdays.

Keen to make sure, people do not feel lonely and isolated this Christmas, a similar exercise will be repeated on December 25 when - in the absence of the Christmas lunch - Rotarians will deliver a small gift and message to those who would otherwise spend the day alone.

The Rotary Clubs across Eastbourne organise charity events and help good causes at Christmas and throughout the year.