A caring restaurant boss is again offering a free Christmas dinner to people who are alone or unable to provide a meal for themselves.
Inn on the Loch owner Helen Bean and her team will spread festive cheer with meal delivery service on December 25.
The free dinner idea started in 2019 when people were invited to join Helen and her family in the restaurant near Crocketford, but due to Covid-19 the team had to come up with a safer alternative.
And that led to the introduction of a delivery service during the pandemic.
Helen said: “I always wanted to offer people with no family or friends close by the choice to come and join us with our family for Christmas dinner.
“I waited until my children were old enough to understand that Christmas day would be about sharing.
“The first year, we had about 25 people. Volunteers helped to transport people and they had their dinner with us.
“The following year Covid-19 hit, unfortunately. This led to about 50 people receiving a free Christmas dinner delivery and last year we delivered approximately 80 meals.
“We really want to offer a meal with our family again, but with Covid-19 still around and people still living with the fear to get it, delivery is the only option.
“I have always said we are lucky to have a big area to offer people a meal and a friendly chat, however, the pandemic had other plans.”
This year, The Inn on the Loch team and volunteers will be covering areas including Castle Douglas, Springholm and Crocketford.
The meal will be delivered on Christmas morning between 11.30am and 1pm.
Helen added: “If people know anyone in need of a meal, we ask people to put their names forward.”
Volunteers can also apply to help with deliveries this year.
