A pensioner lived on nothing but Domino’s pizza deliveries because his only friends were in lockdown more that 200-miles away.
David Hoggett, 70, has been living alone since the death of his wife six years ago and struggles to get out because of painful arthritis in his spine.
David’s only friends live in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, a total of 210 miles away from his home in Aldershot in Hampshire.
As a result, David has been relying nightly deliveries of Domino’s, chocolate cookies and Coke Zero.
However, his local branch started refusing to take phone orders and, as he is unable to order online, David was left desperate.
Luckily he was spotted by police as he tried to reach the supermarket in his home town and, after hearing his story, officers from Hampshire Police did a shop for him and helped him return home safely.
Now kind-hearted local volunteer Jodie Cordner has offered to do a regular shopping run for David and a local charity will provide him with a hot meal every day.
David said these acts of kindness have restored his faith in humanity.
Speaking to SurreyLive, he said: “I have no friends or family down here, so I am completely on my own.
“The only people I know are in Cleethorpes.
“For a month I was living solely on Dominos pizza, chocolate cookies and Coke zero. Dominos stopped taking orders over the phone and delivering, though, so I had to go out and get food.
“You have no choice when you are left to yourself."
Police found David and offered him help and arranged the on-going support to help him get through lockdown.
He said: "The police got me some essentials like soups. The local school is now providing me with one hot meal every day and Jodie has been doing shopping for me.
"It has restored my faith in humanity. Not knowing anyone, a lot of people wouldn’t care, but this has been so kind.
“All I have is a TV, other than that it is just looking at four square walls. I am awake 20 of the 24 hours a day.
“I just think I will be asleep long enough when I’m dead. You might as well enjoy life as long as you can.”
Volunteer Jodie Cordner said she was more than happy to help when she became aware of David’s troubles.
“I became involved as we have known David a few years but never realised he was struggling by himself, he likes to be as independent as he can”, she said. “I wouldn't like to see my family alone and struggling, and David is like a part of my family.
“I've been to do David's shopping for him a few times, one big shop and one for essentials. We call him a few times a day to check in and see if he is okay and if he needs anything, he seems a lot happier and back to his chirpy self since we have been to see him.”
In a heartfelt post, officers from Hampshire Police added: “If you are aware of anybody else who is in David’s position please let us know, we are not just here to enforce the law, we are here to help our community especially the most vulnerable during this difficult time.”
And, to help him even further, Domino’s are now delivering one meal every week to Mr Hoggett after hearing about his inability to order online.
A spokesman said: "Our Aldershot store has implemented several additional measures to ensure we are following government guidelines, and has moved to cash-free, online orders and Contact Free Delivery only.
"When we heard David Hoggett had been unable to order his favourite cheesy treats from Domino’s as a result of our new measures we wanted to help out, and immediately offered to deliver him a free meal every week while our phone lines remain closed for orders.”
