The Island’s first year nursing students are joining forces with the Live at Home scheme to make sure people being helped by the programme are remembered at Christmas.

The Live at Home charity supports elderly people who may be lonely or socially isolated to live independently.

First year nursing students have launched a campaign on Facebook to gather contributions for Christmas boxes that they will help Live at Home volunteers to deliver.

Nursing student Paaie Mellows said: “My friends and I are grateful to be training in the Island and would like to give something back to the local community. We want Live at Home members to know that we are thinking of them and that they are not alone at Christmas. We hope that people will help make our idea possible, by donating generously.”

The students have appealed for donations of food and toiletries as suggested by Live at Home organisers: tea bags and coffee, sweets, chocolates, biscuits, jams and marmalades, tinned fruit, vegetables tuna or salmon, small soaps, shower gels, hand cream.

Pre-registration nursing programme leader Catherine Black said: “The community seems to have embraced their campaign with a response that has been overwhelming. Many generous offers of goods and even storage facilities have been made already. We are so proud of our first year student nurses for showing their interest in helping others in this way.”

Speaking of the initiative, Health and Social Care Minister Howard Quayle said: “How touching that our nursing students have been moved to assist others this Christmas. They are showing the care and compassion that is characteristic of our nursing staff as a whole.

“At the same time as our students are planning their Christmas boxes, a nurse in Noble’s Accident and Emergency Department, Julie Hedley, is encouraging her colleagues to remember their elderly neighbours by plating up a meal on Christmas Day.

“I hope all of us will take inspiration from these generous acts and reach out to others especially those who may be alone this Christmas.”

While donations to the Live at Home scheme may be dropped off at the Keyll Darree library at Noble’s Hospital by 15 December, Paaie has also offered to collect contributions. She can be contacted at paaiemellows@gmail.com.