Ho ho ho – festive facial hair with a difference!
When you are elderly and isolated, Christmas isn't much fun - which is why Wards Solicitors have thrown themselves behind a special fundraising campaign dubbed 'FoamAlone'.
They have joined a growing number of people nationwide happy to squirt shaving foam all over their face to create a fetching Father Christmas-style beard before posting a photo or video of themselves on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Every person who does so pays £5 to support The Silver Line - a free, confidential, national 24-hour helpline specifically for older people - to help its specially trained helpline team answer as many calls as possible over the incredibly busy Christmas period.
Huge demand from callers
A spokesperson for the charity said: "We believe that no-one should have to spend Christmas alone. Last year we were unable to answer more than 5,000 calls due to the huge demand.
"We hope to answer every call within 20 seconds - but with Christmas being one of our busiest times of the year, we need help to make sure there is always someone on the line, and every older person has someone to talk to."
Lonely this Christmas
According to the latest statistics, almost a million people aged 60 and over will feel lonely this Christmas time.
Going the extra mile for elderly clients at this time of year is something close to the hearts of all Wards Solicitors' staff, especially the Wills and Probate team who have led the charge to support the 'FoamAlone' campaign.
Partner, Jenny Pierce, Head of the Wills and Mental Capacity and Probate team, specialises in elderly client law and trusts and is also the regional coordinator for Bristol and Bath's Solicitors for the Elderly.
She said: "In our line of work, we meet older people every day who are lonely and isolated but at Christmas this sense of loneliness can feel particularly acute and painful. Being able to pick up the phone and talk to someone who understands, on a day when so many of us are lucky enough to have our families around us, can make a huge difference to an older person which is why we are so happy to support The Silver Line's Christmas appeal."
Like staff across many of our Wards Solicitors offices, anyone can get involved:
- STEP ONE: Grab some shaving foam and create your very own Father Christmas beard;
- STEP TWO: Post your photo or video to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #FoamAlone.
- STEP THREE: Donate £5 to The Silver Line by texting FOAMALONE to 70660
- STEP FOUR: Nominate two of your friends to join in.