SUPPORTING KENT’S NEW KNOCK AND CHECK COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN

Shepherd Neame invited three World War Two veterans - including a former long-serving licensee - for a special pub lunch to celebrate the launch of Kent Community Foundation (KCF)’s new Knock and Check campaign.

KCF connects people and organisations that want to improve their communities, distributing grants and providing financial support to hundreds of charities and deserving causes throughout Kent and Medway. Its latest initiative is aimed at encouraging people in Kent to help prevent loneliness and isolation and save lives by looking out for and helping elderly neighbours.

To promote the launch, Shepherd Neame hosted a lunch at The Sun Inn, Faversham, for former licensee Peter Smoothy, 95, who ran the Four Fathoms in Herne Bay for over 40 years and still lives in the town. He was joined by two other veterans who live in the county, 100-year-old Jeff Haward MM from Strood and Donald Hunter from Ashford, and they enjoyed reminiscing together about their experiences.

Josephine McCartney, KCF’s Chief Executive said: “Figures from Age UK tell us that almost 30,000 people in Kent say they feel lonely all or most of the time. Add to this the 1,600 avoidable winter deaths in Kent and we knew we wanted to do something to help our elderly neighbours across the county. We all witnessed the amazing community spirit seen during the first months of the pandemic and we want to reignite this feeling by asking the county to come together to knock and check on the most vulnerable during the colder months.”

The Knock and Check campaign is simple to get involved with. Knock and Check on the elderly and most isolated in your local community and offer a moment of your time to be neighbourly; say hello, offer to do shopping or perhaps share something you have cooked. And if your neighbours need more help or support, Kent Community Foundation has a resource directory on their website listing help and advice that is available across the county.

Mr Smoothy said: “Despite having family and friends there are times when I can feel quite lonely. I was absolutely delighted when Shepherd Neame invited me out today and it was so lovely to catch up with fellow veterans Jeff and Donald over a wonderful lunch.”

Shepherd Neame’s Director of Managed and Tenanted Pubs Nigel Bunting said: “We were delighted to welcome our former long-serving licensee Peter Smoothy back to enjoy a Shepherd Neame experience on the other side of the bar! We were also honoured to welcome veterans Jeff Haward MM and Donald Hunter and provide a safe setting for them to socialise together. Shepherd Neame has been at the heart of the Kent community for more than 300 years, so we are pleased to work with Kent Community Foundation to promote this fantastic new campaign.”

To find out more about the Knock and Check campaign visit www.kentcf.org.uk/knockandcheck.