December 2020

7 Buckden Roundabout December 2020 FRIENDS IN DEED Friends in Deed is a voluntary group offering support to Buckden residents. There are times in our lives when we could all do with a little extra support or companion- ship whatever our age or circumstances. We wish you peace this Christmas Christmas is a time for celebration but, for many, it can also be a very difficult time. For those living alone, those who have lost someone, those suffering with physical or mental health problems the general “ Christmas Cheer ” can be stressful and overwhelming. Friends in Deed are here to provide help & support. Need someone to talk to? - it is not easy to ask for help, but why struggle when there are people happy to listen and to help? When we keep things to ourselves and struggle on, things can feel overwhelming and a little bit of help can make all the difference. Whilst visiting is limited for our volunteers at the moment, we can easily provide a friendly voice and ear over the phone. This is a free service and can be either a one - off chat or regular chats. If you do want someone to talk to, please call our co - ordinator, Angie, on 07810 006598 and she will make the arrangements. Need a lift? Our team of volunteer drivers are able to provide transport for hospital / dental / hair appointments etc when family, friends or public transport is not an option. There are fixed fees for this service. Please email our transport co - ordinator peter.mount@btconnect.com or call 07914 669967 and leave your name, number, address and details of your appointment (date, time, location). Please do give us at least 24 hours notice and we shall do our best to meet your needs. We are still looking for more drivers, please contact Peter if you might be interested. In view of the uncertain future regarding the Covid 19 virus, all events organised for 2020 by the Huntingdonshire Local Group of the Wildlife Trust have been cancelled. We will review the position later in the year with regards to events in 2021. Autumn/Winter Events 2020 Village News Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box Appeal, 2020 Due to the lockdown, I had to postpone the open days I pub- lished in the November Roundabout, but I was able to open the day before lockdown with lots of people ’ s help. We now have over 100 shoeboxes with the promises of more. Thank you to everyone for donations of money, gifts, boxes, etc. Shoeboxes are still going ahead. We are not giving up on the children who need a reason to smile this Christmas, and together we can still ensure children around the world will soon be opening their own special shoe- box gifts and realising they are loved and cared for. Buckden Methodist Church will be OPEN on Monday 7 th and 14 th December between 2pm and 4:30pm to drop off complet- ed shoeboxes, empty shoeboxes, donations of items or money. The shoeboxes will be collected and started on their journey after 14 th December. I will keep the Methodist Church notice board outside updated with information, as news occurs, so keep an eye on it, thank you. If you would like more information, then please contact Carol Swepstone on 810053 Unsure about using Friends in Deed? Here ’ s some feedback received from a new client recently I was wondering how I would get to my appointment and a friend suggested "Friends in Deed". The driver accompanied me to the clinic door and as- sured me that he was happy to wait the 2 - 3 hours in the car park with a good book . “ Knowing that the wonderful help and support offered by "Friends in Deed" has relieved me of much anxiety about how I would get to appointments when unable to drive myself, is so reassuring and a service beyond price! Many thanks to all Friends in Deed for all your won- derful giving of your time, care and kindness .”