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Hundreds flock to Golden Age event for over-60s

John Devinein March
John Devine/BBC Jane Van Der Merwe, left, with her sister Gail Lewis, and Santa Claus in the middle. Jane has short blonde hair with a pink tint and is wearing oval-shaped glasses and a pink furry jumper with red patterns on it. Gail has short grey hair and is wearing a white top with a beige cardigan on top. There is a Christmas tree behind them on the left.John Devine/BBC
Jane Van Der Merwe, left, with her sister Gail Lewis said the event had given them some "great ideas for things to do in the future"

A Christmas event for people aged over 60 has pulled in its largest crowd in its 22-year history.

More than 340 people went along to the Golden Age Fair in March, Cambridgeshire, to find out about the help and support available to them.

This year's event saw Santa handing out gifts made by community groups, funded through the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust's Golden Age Christmas Appeal.

Fenland District Council has been organising the get-togethers since 2003.

John Devine/BBC A function room full of people looking around trade stalls and information points.John Devine/BBC
About 40 organisations had stands to promote the opportunities, services and support available locally for over-60s
John Devine/BBC Sam Clark has short reddish hair and is wearing a Christmas top with various festive symbols on it. She is holding a soft toy purple dog which has yellow paws and a yellow collar and which is wearing an elf hat. Behind her are lots of people in a function room with information signs for various trade stands.John Devine/BBC
Sam Clark with mascot Mac, named after the late councillor Mac Cotterell, who started the Golden Age event in 2003

Council member Sam Clark said: "The appeal shows our older residents how valued they are and ensures every visitor to our event has at least one gift this Christmas."

Golden Age events happen four times a year in the market towns of March, Wisbech, Chatteris and Whittlesey, as well as in some villages at parish council-supported events.

John Devine/BBC Hayley Mears has blonde, wavy, shoulder-length hair. She is wearing a Christmas top and a small Santa hat. She is holding a soft toy purple dog which has yellow paws and a yellow collar, and is wearing an elf hat.John Devine/BBC
Council community support officer Hayley Mears said the free event gave older people a chance to find out about opportunities and support
John Devine/BBC Jack Avison has light brown wavy hair in a sideways quiff on top of his head,. He has a brown moustache and beard and is wearing glasses and a dark green jumper with red and white Christmas icicle patterns on it. Behind him are lots of people in a function room.John Devine/BBC
Jack Avison, of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust

Jack Avison, of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, said its Head to Toe charity funded community groups that made gifts and cards to ensure that all-over 60s attending the event would receive a present.

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