A LUNCH club which has provided thousands of residents with a hot meal for the past 50 years is now at risk of closure.

The Thursday Lunch Club run at 2000 Centre in Hedge End could be forced to shut down if volunteers will not come forward.

The club provides residents over 60 -who are in need, vulnerable or live alone - with a hot meal once a week.

Volunteers run the club and arrange transport for the residents.

But now they are desperately looking for a cook and at least four more people happy to help once a month.

This comes after one of the cooks had to leave for health reasons.

Yon Harvey, 76, retired, has been volunteering for the past 40 years. She said: “We are getting older ourselves, some of our volunteers are over 80. It’s important we keep running the club, there is a need for this in Hedge End. For some people this is probably the only good meal they have in a week.”

The club is funded by the £3.50 that each resident pays every Thursday to have a main, a dessert and drinks and to be picked up and driven back home.

The club cater for 40 people each week but Ms Harvey said there are 10 more people on a waiting list.

And added: “It would be a terrible shame to have to close down. It’s also a social day for them, it’s not just a meal. It’s also about looking after them. If one of them doesn’t come to the club we let the family know and make sure they are ok.”

Hedge End resident Doreen Mead, 90, has been attending the club for the past decades and said: “It’s lovely to come here and spend a day with other people. It’s really important for the community and it would be dreadful if it has to close. We’ll feel much lonely.”

To help call Sheila on 01489783544.