Over 100 people aged 65 and over had afternoon tea with the Mayor of Merton, Councillor David Chung to mark Silver Sunday (October 4).

The event was a national celebrating of older people for their contribution to the community. Guests enjoyed a selection of sandwiches kindly donated by the Wimbledon and Raynes Park branches of Waitrose. An array of cakes were donated by the women’s group of the Ahmadiya Muslim Association, entertainment from the Attic Theatre Company, professional entertainer Janet Beal and traditional Tamil dancing from the South London Tamil Welfare Group.

Merton’s MASCOT Telecare team along with Wimbledon, Merton and Morden Guild and AGE UK volunteered on the day and spoke to guests about the services they provide.

Mayor of Merton, Councillor David Chung, said: “I would like to sincerely thank the volunteers who contributed to making the first ‘Silver Sunday’ event in Merton such a success. It is very important not to forget the older people of our community.”

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Notes to editor

Silver Sunday is marked on the first Sunday in October to recognise the value and knowledge older people contribute to the community as well as highlighting the issue of loneliness and isolation. The campaign was launched in 2012 by the Simon Milton Foundation together with the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor The Lady Christabel Flight.