Louise Farrelly is opening her home to those in need on Christmas Day

Christmas is meant to be the most wonderful time of the year but for some people spending the festive season on their own it can be the saddest time.

With this in mind big-hearted Louise Farrelly, a 31 -year-old beautician from Belturbet, Co Cavan, has decided to open her heart to Ireland’s lonely and needy this Christmas to make sure that anyone who needs it has a dinner and a friendly chat on Christmas Day.

Posting on her Facebook account Louise who runs her own business said: “I phoned two of the local priests during the week to ask would it be ok to hand out these flyers after Mass this morning and they were very helpful. I also got chatting to a lovely lady who used to do meals-on-wheels for an admirable 42 years and she is also going to give me some contact details too.

“I’ve enough food for around 10 people. If you know anyone whose plans might have fallen through or you think they might be on their own — whatever the circumstances may be — contact me soon. It’s completely confidential and I only want to make sure no one is alone all day Christmas Day.”

The leaflets Louise handed out simply say: “If you know of anyone spending Christmas Day alone this year contact me and I will make sure of a visit and a Christmas Dinner”.

Louise who has volunteered with many charities over the years said that after she volunteered with the SVP two years ago in Cavan town and saw the number of dinners that went out to people on their own and to those in the homeless shelter she realised that there was a need for something similar in her own community.

“The homeless shelter has now closed and there is no meals and wheels service in Belturbet any more so some people would be left without a Christmas dinner or anyone to talk to.

“I am trying to make people feel that this is not a charity thing or to be embarrassed, I just want to enforce the idea that anyone young or old can be on their own at Christmas, no one is immune to loneliness and I am in a position to help, so why not.

“My favourite quote is ‘instead of looking at all the reasons something can’t be done why not look at the reasons that it can’.

“I am hoping to inspire more people to do something similar or even a discussion might take place about setting up a meals on wheels or some kind of service and I would be delighted about being part of the reason that happened.”