FIVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS AT ECCLES GATEWAY A ROARING SUCCESS

Around 100 people turned up at Eccles Gateway today, Wednesday 21st November for the Five Days Of Christmas bash organised by Councillor Sammie Bellamy who for the past five days has been feeding over 500 people over the age of 65 at their local Gateways.

Sammie who runs, For The Love Of Food in Salford a  nonprofit organisation delivering a meals on wheels service across Salford to support families veterans and pensioners has really pulled out the stops to make sure that people who for whatever reason wouldn't be able to enjoy a full Christmas dinner free of charge, had one.

With the help of local Councilors, Sharmina August, Mike McCusker, Nathaniel Tetteh and John Mullen who all rolled their sleeves up, donned festive clothing and served up a piping hot three course meal, soup, turkey casserole, Christmas pudding and custard followed by mince pies, tea and coffee.

Tony Nicholls did a superb job keeping the guests entertained with a melody of Christmas songs and requests even playing a Jerry Lee Lewis song at my request, a superb musician and best of all a really nice bloke.

Father Christmas  made a surprise visit to bring an authentic touch to the proceedings, visiting each table chatting to the diners, sadly he couldn't promise Carl his Raleigh Grifter bicycle that he asked for in 1982 and never received.

Bingo was played with Sammie calling out the numbers and prizes were handed out. I must mention that nobody went home empty handed, each person attending was given a large box of shortbread biscuits, a nice touch,

We left but the party was in full swing and people seemed reluctant to leave and who could blame them?

Thanks must be given to everybody who made this events a massive success including the library staff, Liz, Megan, Nicola and Peter, Bailey Bellamy and his younger brothers and far too many to mention...however.

Full credit must be given to Sammie Bellamy for fulfilling her dream of feeding 500 people throughout Salford, free of charge, I dread to think of the late nights and early mornings she has endured to prepare, deliver and serve up the food, a massive thank you from us and all the people you have helped this year...give this girl an MBE, I'm serious!