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Coronavirus Kent: Doreen Dawson treated to birthday surprise by Folkestone community hub volunteers
11:13, 03 April 2020
updated: 11:14, 03 April 2020
A woman was 'thrilled' after volunteers organised a special birthday treat for her while in isolation.
Doreen Dawson, who turned 89 yesterday (Thursday), was surprised when a team from Folkestone's new community hub arrived on her door step armed with cakes and ready to sing happy birthday.
WATCH: Doreereceiveses her birthday surprise
The excursion was organised by volunteer Olivia Ensor-Page, who had spoken to Doreen last week about delivering some shopping.
During the call, Olivia discovered Doreen's birthday was approaching.
Olivia in turn delivered cakes, made by the team at Anna’s Tea Room, to Doreen's door while other volunteers sang to her over the phone.
Doreen, a retired church secretary, said: "I just couldn’t believe it! It was such a surprise and I’m so thrilled - I’ve never had anything like it.
"I can’t go out myself and my family all live in Middlesex so can’t visit; to have the support of the community hub and the council is invaluable.
"They’re doing a great job and I’m thrilled with my lovely birthday cakes and scones."
The Folkestone community hub, based at the Three Hills Sports Park, is one of three set up across the district to support the most vulnerable during the Covid-19 outbreak.
The others are in Hythe, at the Age UK centre, and at the Romney Marsh Day Centre.
All three are being funded by Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC).
Support will include emergency food and meal deliveries, help with repeat prescriptions for medication, help with pets or just a person on the end of a phone to talk too.
The services are available to anyone of any age who is struggling at this time, including with other concerns such as financial.
Olivia, 22, who usually works behind the bar at Three Hills Sports Park but is now volunteering at the hub, said: "I’m usually answering phones and replying to emails at the hub but it’s my day off today so I decided to surprise Doreen instead.
"When Doreen mentioned last week that it was her birthday, I thought that I could come down to see her and do something nice for her.
"Folkestone and the rest of the community have really pulled together since people have had to self-isolate."
Cllr David Monk, FHDC leader, said: “The community spirit of our volunteers goes to show what an extraordinary district we have, full of remarkable people willing to help their community in any way they can.
"Olivia and her fellow volunteers at the Folkestone community hub have given Doreen a birthday to remember.
"I am grateful for the many FHDC staff and volunteers who are supporting these community hubs that we are funding - they are doing the council and the district proud.
"No one in our district need feel as though they are going through this challenging period on their own. If you need assistance and don’t have a local support network - please do get in touch.
"We’re all in this together, so let’s look after one another.”
The hubs will be open 9am-4pm and can be contacted, but not visited, through these details:
- Hythe - run by AGE UK: covid-19@ageukhl.org.uk or 01303 269602
- Folkestone - run by Three Hills Sports Centre supported by Citizens Advice and Kent Coast Volunteering: covid-19@3hsp.co.uk or 01303 316186
- Romney Marsh - run by Romney Marsh Day Centre: Covid-19@rmdc.org.uk or 01797 208590
For more information, visit here.
FHDC, which has closed its offices in Folkestone, has also set up a helpline for residents on 01303 761116 (open from 9am to 5pm daily) and an email at covid-19@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk for Covid-19 queries.
