Older residents in Church Fenton surprised with afternoon tea

Older residents in a North Yorkshire village were surprised with an afternoon tea donated by a local plant hire company, in support of National Random Act of Kindness Day.

RJC Plant Services Ltd, who provide grab hire and road sweeping services across Yorkshire, and are based in Church Fenton, arranged the kind gesture in order to give something back to the community they have been based in for the last 7 years.

Chris Jackson, co-founder and director said: “We know it has been an extremely difficult and lonely time for many people during this pandemic, especially older people who can often live alone or haven’t been able to go out because of health and safety concerns. We wanted to do something as a little treat, to raise a smile, and let them know people are thinking of them during this time.”

RJC Plant Services contacted Sherburn Visiting Scheme, a local charity that is committed to supporting seniors within Sherburn in Elmet and surrounding areas to help them reach out to older people within the Church Fenton community and arranged for 50 residents to receive the treat put together by local deli, The Picked Postie at Cawood.

John Harrison, director adds: “We have been incredibly fortunate that our business has continued to operate and grow throughout the pandemic. We have employed new team members and had a record number of bookings due to the popularity around home and garden improvements. We wanted to give something back to our community to show our support to those who have struggled during this difficult time.”

The random act of kindness is one of a number of feel-good campaigns the plant hire company has instigated over the last 12 months to support others including taking part in the Movember challenge to raise money for mental health construction charity, Lighthouse Club, and organizing a drive through clap for carers parade in the village of Cawood during the first lockdown.