THE Salvation Army is hosting a lunch to make sure that no one has to spend Christmas alone.

On Christmas Day, Hadleigh Temple Hall in London Road will host the event which will serve a full Christmas dinner for residents of Castle Point who will not be able to spend the day with their loved ones.

Wayne Johnson, leader of the Salvation Army Corps, said: “We have an open door for those who would otherwise find themselves alone or in great need on Christmas Day.

“It’s always amazing to see the difference it makes to people for whom Christmas would otherwise be an ordeal.”

There will be room for 40 people to sit down and enjoy a festive meal.

Meals will also be delivered directly to the homes of some residents who will be unable to join the group on Christmas Day.

As well as the full festive spread, the guests at the temple hall will be treated to an afternoon of entertainment and present giving, making sure that no one leaves without some Christmas cheer.

Mr Johnson added: “When everyone seems to be having fun, it’s tough to feel as though you’re the only one who is not having fun!

“At this event, we not only make sure everyone has a good meal, with all the trimmings, but also have a lot of fun in the process.”

The Salvation Army, which was established in the east end of London in 1865, work with churches and groups in 128 countries across the world.

Now the group work with 800 community centres and churches in the UK and Ireland to help those in need and bring people closer together.

Last year’s event saw a family reunion that no one would expect.

Rae Chapman attended last year’s Christmas Day meal where she began speaking Tony Dann, a volunteer who helped to serve the meals at the lunch.

After speaking to each other, they realised that Rae was in fact Tony’s aunt.

It was the first time that the pair had seen each other in around 40 years.