Volunteers are spreading some cheer by opening up a cafe so the lonely and elderly can have a festive feast together on Christmas Day.

Fred Ford, who runs the Klondyke Cafe by the Lakes at Halfway, Sheppey, has donated his premises for the get-together.

The dinner is being organised for up to 30 by Fred’s friend Drew Kent who lives nearby.

Drew, 57, said: “I’ve been homeless myself and ended up living in my van. Luckily, Fred gave me a helping hand so I wanted to give something back. No one needs to be alone at Christmas.”

He already has 18 booked at £10 a head but still has a few places left.

An online fundraising page, now closed, raised enough cash to subsidise the meal and to provide some surprise gifts for the guests including socks and gloves.

There will also be a raffle with donated prizes.

Tesco’s Sheerness store has handed over food packages and Swalemill Butchers of Kent at Sittingbourne has given discounts on the meat.

Drew’s partner Sharon Pemble and her friend will be peeling spuds on Christmas Eve and then cooking the roast on Christmas Day before transporting it to the cafe for the 1pm treat.

Fred, 62, said: “I’m opening up the cafe for the meal and will have the log-burner making it nice and warm. We are looking forward to seeing our Christmas guests.”

Drew added: “I’d like to thank everyone who has helped make this possible, especially the volunteers. We have had many offering to help look after our guests and have taken the first 10 who put their names down.”

If you would like to join Drew or would like to nominate someone, call him on 07480 946494.

The cafe was formerly on the Klondyke industrial estate at Queenborough which is where it got its name. When the site was demolished in 2018, Fred moved lock, stock and barrel to Halfway.