It’s the season of goodwill to all men, but pensioner Raymond Parker is one man who has dished up more than his fair share of the festive spirit.

For the 77-year-old treated visitors and staff at a Gravesend day centre to a 24lb turkey out of his own pocket.

Mr Parker, who lives in Glebe Road, Northfleet, has been a regular at Age UK North West Kent Fleming Resource Centre for four years, and wanted to say thank you.

The widower stumped up £50 to buy the giant bird, which was cooked and served up with all the trimmings at a Christmas lunch on Friday.

Senior carer Donna Mawhinney said: “He is really a very generous man and will go out of his way to buy us loads of things.

“Mr Parker always buys us random things and even helped us buy a dishwasher. He has got a really good heart.”

The turkey, which was bought from Lean Meats Butchers in Pelham Road, was so big it had to go into the oven at 5.15am – with the legs removed from the breast – to ensure it was cooked in time.

Mr Parker said the centre was his lifeline. “I come here every day and never get bored.

“There are so many people I know here, and I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else. I love it here, I really do. I am well looked after and Donna is worth her weight in gold.

“I just wanted to thank everyone. I can’t afford to buy them all a present, so I decided to get a big turkey for everyone.”