A local business will open its doors on Christmas Day to provide Christmas dinner and spread some joy to the lonely and vulnerable.

Donna Rasdale and Mark Smith, who own Route 66 Diner in Enniskillen will be providing lunch in their restaurant as well as reaching out to the community to deliver Christmas lunch and gifts to those who may be on their own or just in need of a little extra help on the day.

Last year on Christmas Day, Donna went to Londonderry/Derry to volunteer doing something similar after finding nothing available locally. Having done that she saw the joy it brought to the people she met on what can be a very lonely day.

Since taking over the restaurant in June, she and her partner Mark realised that they had the facilities available to maybe make a difference in people’s lives.

And with preparation underway, there has been a strong, positive reaction from those who want to avail of the service and those wishing to volunteer and help out.

“Since deciding to do this, and putting the first post on Facebook the reaction has been overwhelming,” explained Donna. “Firstly, 10 minutes after our first post we received a message from a lady who for personal reasons hasn’t left her home in three years. All her food is purchased online and she doesn’t have family that visit and very few people to talk to. Her question was heartbreaking ‘would I qualify’? Our answer was absolutely.

“Those who have contacted us personally who want to avail of the company and the food have some heartbreaking stories.

Many may be embarrassed that they need it but when they get to chat to us, and we explain what’s available they soon get to know us and that they are not alone. All referrals are confidential and kept with their wishes.

“There are some residents next door at Barbour Court coming to spend the day with us and one resident told me that they are living for it.

“For those coming to the restaurant it will be like having dinner with Donna and Mark in their home. A lady requested that we watch a film after dinner, a request that we are going to make happen after we play the charades and so on,”

Donna and Mark are delighted with the reaction of people sharing the post on Facebook but they know that many of the people who might want to avail of this may not be on any social media sites and they want people to spread the word or refer people to them who could take part in the day.

“What we need now is more people needing the service. They are more out there. I would also like to ask the community to give us donations, small Christmas presents, biscuits, chocolate, soap sets, socks and so on. Just so everyone receives a little something along with their dinner on the day.

“These will be distributed both to the community and to those eating with us.”

As well as those who will be availing of the Christmas Day lunch, Donna paid tribute to the amazing volunteers and they are planning on holding a volunteer meeting in the next week.

“The volunteers have been amazing. We have had so many offers of people willing to deliver food. Until we know the exact numbers it is hard to gauge how many we will need. Each volunteer may just be needed to deliver one dinner to a housebound person or someone who will be delighted to see a friendly face.”

If you know of anyone who would be perfect for this Donna and Mark are urging people to get in touch with referral as they plan to make this Christmas Day as special as can be for as many as possible.