On Christmas day ALONE volunteers delivered hot traditional Christmas dinners to 55 older people. 500 people were delivered hampers generously donated by Unilever.

Our youngest volunteer on the day, Benjamin Doyle, 14 years old, writes about his experience delivering dinners.

We set off to the RDS at ten thirty in the morning. I was unsure how this was going to go, but, at the same time I was looking forward to distributing the meals for ALONE.

When we arrived at the RDS it was packed with people packing bags, making meals, sealing boxes and carrying bags all around the place.

We were told to go to the coordinator who would sign us in and then would give us our meals and goodie bags.

Before I knew it, we were in the car again and on our way to deliver the meals. We had to deliver meals to four people.

The first house we went to was located in a small square of houses. There was nobody home. “Well that was a great start to the day” I thought to myself!  

The next two houses we went to, we successfully dropped off the meals and it was great to see how pleased and thankful the people were to us for delivering them their meals. 

After that we went back to the first house and still there was nobody home, so, we dropped the meal and goodie bag into their next door neighbour and they were happy to give the dinner once they arrived home.

At our last house there was no one home again, but all was good, as we gave it into their neighbour and they said they would give it to them as soon as they got home.

I thoroughly enjoyed the day and I would be more than pleased to do it again.