Coronavirus: Crisis hits double Doncaster 100th birthday plans as concerns emerge over social isolation

But organisers who had planned a double 100th birthday party for two pals who were due to celebrate their centuries together have had to be scrap the big event due to the coronavirus crisis.

Violet Burton is due to mark her big day later this month, while her friend Joyce Jones marks her 100th early in April.

Both are regulars at the same coffee morning group in Branton, Doncaster, which runs regular events to make sure local pensioners are not left lonely.

But organiser Sheila Smith revealed today that the group would be postponing the party because of concerns over the spreading of Covid-19.

She said: “We’ve come to the decision that we have to cancel all our coffee mornings until further notice – until times get better and we are safe to resume.

“We have told the two ladies involved that the party that we have planned for them on April 14 is off.”

The Branton Coffee Club usually meets on Tuesdays at Kilham Hall Community Centre in the village, but is now cancelled indefinitely.

“It’s cancelled until it is safe to resume, but we will resume,” said Sheila. “But what is happening at the moment is unprecedented. For some of our members, the coffee club is their only trip out during the week.”

It is not the only event for Doncaster’s elderly to fall victim to the concerns over the virus – and it has led to concerns for the borough’s pensioners if the measures to combat the virus lead to them becoming isolated.

Kathy Markwick, a freelance community consultant who organises get togethers for pensioners in Doncaster to beat loneliness, was aware events were already being axed.

She set up friendship lunches across the borough and a scheme called SuperJam, which is tea parties for lonely pensioners. Some of those have already been postponed.

Kathy said that many look forward to her social events which are aimed at combatting loneliness and social isolation.

She said it would be terrible if events have to be cancelled but fully understands and appreciates the reasons why.

She said: “The problem of loneliness and social isolation will undoubtedly be exacerbated during the coming weeks - and not just for the elderly.”

Widow Joyce Lucas, from Woodlands, is among those who attends the Superjam parties. Now aged 80, she retired from her job at the Princes Medical Centre in Woodlands 12 years ago, at the age of 68.

Age UK has estimated that for 6,000 older people in Doncaster, loneliness is a daily reality.

Joyce said she was very disappointed to learn that a planned Superjam Tea Party at Parklands Sports and Social Club has been put on hold due the current situation. She said that events like this give her something to look forward to, something to get dressed up for and a wonderful opportunity to meet old and make new friends.

Doncaster lawyer Louise Rudkin, from Keebles, volunteers with Kathy’s events, and her firm has sponsored some of them. She called for neighbours to offer support.

She said: “In light of latest statements from the Government on the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, I am only too aware of how difficult times are going to become for all of us, especially for older members of our communities.

“My parents are in their 70s and will be subjected to the imposed isolation if, or more likely, when it happens.

“We all owe a responsibility to our friends, neighbours and wider community, to help one another as much as possible. If you can safely reach out to people, who are by themselves or, who are self-isolating then we must do so and stay in touch by phone and be there to support them however we can.

“It is an unprecedented time for all of us and I think we have to remain positive and safe and follow all of the guidance delivered to us by the Government.”