For the past 17 years, Lynne Pearce has been a friendly face at Samaritans Christmas lunches in Newcastle.
One of the event’s longest-serving volunteers, Lynne says she takes great delight in being able to give back.
“I decided to become a volunteer when my husband passed away. We always had 20 to 30 people over for lunch on Christmas Day and I thought: ‘I’m going to do something for myself,’” she says.
“It was funny – after the first time I did it, Samaritans thanked us all for volunteering and I said: ‘no, thank you for letting me do it.’ I found it so fulfilling, and that’s why I keep coming back.”
Now in its 24th year, Christmas Lunch in the Park is the region's largest and longest-running Christmas Day event.
It aims to offer much-needed compassion to individuals and families experiencing homelessness, disadvantage, or loneliness.
Lynne adds she enjoys mingling with the local community and seeing the joy it brings to so many people.
“It’s great seeing the appreciation you get from most of the people there,” she says.
“Over the years, I see so many regulars coming back, and they often bring their kids along. It’s nice to see.
“When [Samaritans] asks you to write down two things you want to do, I usually say hostess and cutting up the pudding – I love doing that. If I see something is not being done, I jump in and do it as well.
“I just like to go around talking to everyone. If I wasn’t enjoying it, I wouldn’t be doing it.”
Samaritans Christmas Lunch in the Park will take place at Newcastle Foreshore Railway Carriage Shed on Wednesday 25 December from 10am to 2pm.