RESIDENTS in Normandy who have fallen on hard times will be treated to a big group dinner and party on December 24, organised by local charity Noël Pour Tous.

Gisella and Jim Parkes, two retired British expats living in Calvados, have volunteered for the charity for the past three years, holding a fundraising thé à l’anglais at their home in Roullours each November to raise cash for the big evening, which costs €6,000 to stage.

“We have been made very welcome and made many new friends. We really feel that the organisation helps to ensure that no one is left out of having the opportunity to celebrate Christmas,” says Gisella.

The charity was set up in 1995 by Geneviève and Guy Hellouin-Soulas, who decided to organise a Christmas Eve celebration for those in financial trouble or suffering from loneliness.

In its first year, 50 people were present and last year there were almost 350 people celebrating together in Vire, from small children to elderly residents of nearby retirement homes.

The association provides everything: dinner prepared by a traiteur, decorations for the room and the tables, live entertainment and a visit from Père Noël with gifts for all the children.

Charity president Paulette Binet said: “It is a challenge for the volunteers who make it happen, but it is a different way of celebrating. The smiles of the people are our thanks.”

To make a donation or find out more about the event, call Paulette on 02 31 68 36 05.