SAINTS Foundation this week teamed up with Hampshire-based housebuilder Bargate Homes to host the biggest free Christmas event for over 60s in the city.

Nearly 300 older adults enjoyed a Christmas dinner with games and entertainment, all completely free at the ninth annual Senior Saints Christmas Party, held at St Mary’s. 

Saints Foundation and event sponsor Bargate Homes kicked off the celebrations with a welcome speech before staff members from both companies helped to serve guests a turkey roast.

A host of Saints legends from the 1976 FA Cup winning squad also joined in the festivities, which included a round of Christmas-themed games, raffle, Christmas songs and secret Santa exchange. 

The Saints Foundation statement said: "The senior Saints Christmas Party is a landmark event in the Senior Saints calendar.

"This year’s was the biggest ever thanks to the generous support provided by Bargate Homes.

Mark White, managing director of Bargate Homes, added: “It’s great to be a partner with Saints Foundation and we’re all extremely proud to fund another of their fantastic initiatives.

"Christmas is a time of year when many elderly can feel lonely and isolated, but this event has been jolly, merry and encompasses everything Christmas should be about.

“As a regional housebuilder in Hampshire, we are dedicated to supporting local communities, whether that be building new homes, supporting grassroots football for youngsters, or helping to bring older generations together and feel connected with their community.” 

Senior Saints is a free programme for over 60s in Southampton, run by Saints Foundation, the official charity of Southampton FC.

here are 12 active sessions run across the city every week, including circuits, seated chair exercise, wellbeing walks and walking sport.

Sessions also have an important social element with tea and chat offered post-activities, to reduce the social isolation experienced by many older people.

Paul Hedges, Saints Foundation health projects manager, said: “Christmas is a time for giving and thanks to Bargate Homes’ generous sponsorship, we have been able to invite more older people than ever to enjoy this annual festive celebration.

“For many of the attendees, this will be the only Christmas celebration they get this year. Isolation and loneliness is an epidemic in our older communities.

"Senior Saints is all about establishing vital connections between people. Once again, a huge thank you to Bargate Homes for making this event bigger and better than ever.”

​​Bargate Homes is a supporter of several other community projects. Earlier this year, the award-winning housebuilder became the Principal Partner of Southampton FC’s Soccer Schools initiative.

Since the partnership began, Bargate Homes has been supporting the programme across mainland UK by funding free access to the club’s Soccer School programme for children who are eligible for free school meals.