THIRD Ashton Scouts have started handing out presents as part of Home Instead Senior Care’s ‘Be a Santa to a Senior’ Christmas present appeal.

The scouts went to Ascot House, an NHS Intermediate Care Facility in Sale and handed out the gifts they had donated to the 45 residents.

They met one resident Noel, who is a Home Instead client and has been staying there for the past few weeks undertaking rehabilitation after being in hospital. The Scouts were really pleased to hear that he is looking forward to being back in his own home for Christmas.

The scout group recently attended a training course led by Home Instead trainer Jane Forshaw. The course, which is also provided to Home Instead’s caregivers, gave the Scouts an insight into how to develop relationships with the elderly and helped them in their visit.

Alan Savage, co-owner said: “Even after five years our ‘Be a Santa to a Senior’ appeal is the highlight of the year. It is wonderful to see so many members of the community come together to give gifts and to help deliver them to people who most need some Christmas cheer. We had a great time with the Scouts, our training had given them a real insight into how to ask interesting questions to elderly people of what life was like when they were children and they all loved every minute.”

So far the appeal has collected 700 presents which are to be given to older people in the local area who may be unwell or alone this Christmas.

To go with the presents, Home Instead involved a number of local schools including Heyes Lane Primary School, The Wellington School, Broomwood Primary and Altrincham College of Arts to make some festive cards. They will also be including with each gift, a copy of the What’s on Where (WOW) guide so people can look for new activities and opportunities to meet other people in the New Year.

There are over forty-two local organisations which are supporting the appeal, including many pharmacies, GP surgeries, community matrons, district nurses, Trafford General Hospital, Wythenshawe Hospital, Ascot House Intermediate Care Facility, the local police, local churches and many local charities.