Kind-hearted paramedic fills 28 festive hampers for elderly in Weymouth and Portland

Lynn Hovard, a paramedic with the South Western Ambulance Service, decided to create the hampers after doing her Christmas shopping and ending up with spare vouchers from the Morrisons’ supermarket bonus scheme.

The voucher scheme gives customers a voucher every time they complete a £40 shop in the store.

There are nine vouchers to collect in total before shoppers are rewarded with a £40 voucher.

Lynn used the £40 vouchers to create gift and food hampers and asked anyone with spare vouchers to donate them to her.

She delivered the 28 hampers to the elderly on December 18 with another member of South Western Ambulance staff, Lisa Wilms.

Lynn spent a busy two days organising the hampers, with ten trolleys of shopping, 13 rolls of wrapping paper, multiple lists and spent every spare day collecting vouchers.

She said: “There were many tears, lots of laughter and some heartfelt stories told.

“We showed that people of Weymouth and Portland do care.

“I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who donated vouchers and food.

“I had large donations from the staff at the Dorchester Accident and Emergency Unit with fantastic support and a vehicle from the South Western Ambulance Service.

“Also, crackers and posies were donated by Samantha Spraklen which really brightened up the hampers and provided the elderly with a little decoration.

“Now it’s all over, I’m so glad we let the elderly know they matter. There are so many others who may be on their own this Christmas and throughout the year and we should all be very mindful of that – just a little gesture can make a difference.”

Lynn felt inspired to make the hampers after being moved by the plight of elderly people on their own at Christmas time through her job.

Individuals across Weymouth and Portland can nominate anyone elderly, be it a family member or friend, who they believe would benefit from a festive hamper. For details email lynn_hovard@yahoo.co.uk