It was a real pleasure to be able to surprise these two lovely ladies with a Christmas treat from their community.

True Portlander, 94yr old Joan Ley, hasn’t been able to see her grandchildren and great grandchildren through most of this year due to COVID shielding. Being alone at home can take its toll, but Joan has tried to continue to smile and enjoy life any chance she gets. Her family nominated her to lift her spirits and show her how much they miss and love her.

A core member of Portland’s volunteer and church communities, Sandy Cave was nominated over and over. Having spent years working in the Open Arms youth project and supporting others from sick children to prisoners at the Verne, we can understand why so many people wanted her to be on our list. Sandy sadly and suddenly lost her husband, Stuart, earlier this year. Many will know him from his own volunteering in the Save the Children Charity shop, his role as Town Crier for the Island, or, from his annual role visiting local schools, preschools and fetes as Santa. We recognise that this will be a difficult first Christmas without him and hope our gift helps to brighten Sandy’s day.