A Twickenham-based charity is inviting residents to pick up a Christmas gift with a difference as it launches an online Silent Auction to raise vital funds for older people living in care homes.

Embracing Age, which supports care home residents across the borough through one-to-one befriending and community projects, has opened bidding on a wide range of prizes, with all proceeds helping to bring joy, companionship and meaningful connection to more older people in the new year.

Among the standout lots are:

• A week's stay in a Suffolk holiday cottage
• Theatre tickets from Richmond Theatre and Richmond Shakespeare Society
• Co-working membership at Patch Twickenham
• Tickets to the World Rugby Museum and the London Wetlands Centre
• Sports memorabilia, art prints, shopping vouchers and more

Embracing Age works to combat loneliness in care homes by matching trained volunteers with residents and running creative projects that help people feel connected and valued.

One resident, Mike, summed up the impact of the charity's work: "I feel part of the gang, respected. He makes me feel part of the community. It makes me feel alive. I look forward to Thursdays."

The charity is encouraging local people to get involved this Christmas by:

• Bidding in the Silent Auction
• Donating through the auction page
• Fundraising – contact [email protected] for a fundraising pack
• Volunteering – roles include befriending, crafts, admin and more: https://www.embracingage.org.uk/get-involved.html

Co-op members can also support Embracing Age at no extra cost by selecting the charity in the Co-op Local Community Fund, helping it secure a share of this year's £5m pot.

The charity says every contribution helps it recruit and train more volunteers, ensuring more older residents experience connection, joy and regular moments of "feeling alive" in 2025.

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Residents can browse items and place bids until 10pm on Sunday, 30 November at https://galabid.com/embracing-age

READ MORE: Twickenham mourns 'sudden' death of Sandys Fishmongers owner Stuart Sandys.

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