The Ponders Travel team has called upon industry suppliers and local businesses to help it boost festive joy around their home village of Over in Cambridgeshire.

Inspired by a recent BBC Breakfast broadcast, when viewer Terrence, who has spent Christmas Day alone for the past 20 years, was given a Christmas tree, Ponders staff decided to welcome those facing a solitary Christmas period. 

It will open its doors on Monday 23 December offering food, music and gifts – with tour operators and cruise

lines donating items.

“Even if it’s just a few hours of getting out of the house and having some companionship – we think it really does go a long way at this time of year,” said senior travel consultant Millie Windeler.

Ponders also held a gift giveaway, putting to good use “all of those travel-branded nik naks” accumulated by the team throughout the year.

Cuddly toys, sweet treats, board games and other items were awarded last week to a number of deserving children and adults, as chosen by the local community on Facebook.

“We’re lucky enough to get a lot of gifts sent to us during the year and these could mean a lot to someone,” said Windeler.

The initiative saw a local resident reach out to Ponders, telling the team of her friend, a mother of two being treated for cancer. The team has since been devising a plan to help the family create memories and is looking to send them away on a UK break in the new year.