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Marjorie sits alone in her living room, looking slightly sad

Now more than ever, we need your support

By donating to Age UK today, you can help give older people the comfort and support many so urgently need this Christmas.

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At the close of what’s been, for many, a terrifying and isolating year, more than 850,000 older people could be spending Christmas alone. Now more than ever, Age UK needs your support to be here for those who need us most. 

Every year, millions of older people call on Age UK for practical and emotional support. The Age UK Advice Line gives answers and reassurance to older people, while our Telephone Friendship Service provides vital companionship to those experiencing loneliness. 

This Christmas, that support has never been more needed. Now more than ever, we need your help to be there for those who need us most. 

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Together, we can help older people like Marjorie get through their loneliest Christmas

98-year-old Marjorie’s always been independent. But losing her sight is making her feel isolated and alone. She’s unable to pass the time by watching the TV or reading, and days can seem long.

During lockdown, Marjorie wasn’t allowed to have any visitors. Now, with seemingly no end in sight to the coronavirus outbreak, she expects Christmas to be just as lonely.

Marjorie’s silver lining is her weekly calls from Age UK’s Telephone Friendship Service. She loves the regular conversations, telling us it makes her feel like there are people in the room with her again. It’s also helped to take her back to happier times.

“It is lonely on your own. I'd like to go to sleep on Christmas eve and not wake up until New Year’s Day and miss the whole thing. But I look forward to my befriending calls... It's much more pleasant reminiscing about the past with friends than it is thinking about the virus.”

Age UK is determined to be there for Marjorie and the thousands of older people like her who urgently need someone to rely on this Christmas - but we can’t do this without donations from people like you.

Phone icon Did you know 225,000 older people often go a whole week without speaking to anyone?

The Age UK Telephone Friendship service gives older people the joy of a regular phone call from a friendly voice. At the height of the first lockdown, we saw a 300% increase in demand for this service and we’re braced for another increase this Christmas.

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Heart icon Did you know the Age UK Advice Line is open 365 days a year, including Christmas day?

We provide answers and reassurance to older people when they need it most - 96% of callers say we make a difference. Over the festive period, we'll be here every day for those who have no one else, giving help such as financial advice for how to stay warm through winter.

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Due to the pandemic there could be a sharp rise in the number of older people experiencing loneliness this Christmas

We’re here for you too

If you or someone you know needs support, Age UK is here for you. Call the Age UK Advice Line on 0800 169 6565, 8am to 7pm, every day of the year, or find information and advice on our website.

Age UK provides a range of services and your gift will go where the need is greatest. Age UK is a registered charity, registered charity no 1128267. 

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