Dolly P's offers free meals in run-up to Christmas

Dolly P

Dolly P’s Burger Van is offering free food and a chat to the elderly to help spread festive cheer.

On Wednesday 9 December and Wednesday 16 December, the elderly can come to the Moss Bridge Road van for a brew, sandwich, and a mince pie and a chat.

Between 11am and 2pm, customers can be greeted by staff dressed as elves for a turkey and stuffing sandwich plus a hot drink for free.

Heather Pomfret, who owns the business and named it after her mum, said: “Because of lockdown, we’ve got a lot of lonely people, with nowhere to go and we hear some upsetting stories about loneliness and we need to make the best of a bad situation.”

Heather remembered her mum felt lonely at Christmas time, despite having her family around, and said she couldn’t imagine how people without family and friends around them must feel.

Before 9am children on the way to school can have a cheese, egg, bacon or sausage sandwich and hot drink for free, if they do not have enough money for a breakfast as well as lunch.

Speaking about the job she has been doing for over 20 years, Heather said: “It’s made me more compassionate, and given me an understanding of people.”

She added: “I love what I do. I wouldn’t care if I never made another sausage butty but I love talking to people.I can’t imagine not trying to make people happy.”

Heather’s menu consists of Dolly’s chicken burger, or Dolly’s breakfast burger, and hot chocolate.