HUNDREDS of elderly people could miss out on a regular hot lunch after a 30-year-old meals-on-wheels service said it was closing due to a lack of funding.

Age Concern Forest of Dean described the decision to shut its service from the end of February, with the loss of nine jobs, as “very sad news”.

The charity, which runs its food operation from a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen in Foxes Bridge Road, Cinderford, delivers three-course nutritious meals to around 100 elderly people a day in their homes, as well as supporting 10 luncheon clubs.

But it said the costs of running the “much- needed” £24,000 permonth operation were “unsustainable”, with £50,000 needed to plug a funding black hole.

Trustees chair Dr Daphne Pearson said: “It’s a very sad day. I know I speak for other trustees when I say that we regret the situation very much, particularly as our kitchen staff work so hard each day and our wonderful volunteer drivers are so dedicated.

“We are keeping elderly people living independently in their own homes, which is far less expensive than going into a care home, but it’s impossible to get that through to local authorities to provide us with the core funding we need, rather than a few hundred here, a few thousand there.

“It’s £5.50 for a hot three-course properly balanced meal which meets the need of keeping the elderly going, most of whom are in their late 80s and 90s, even over 100, with many confined to a single room.

“Our volunteer drivers use key pads to get in and deliver plated meals personally to them, and it might be the only friendly face they see all day, so it’s a very personal service.

“We’re keeping aged people going, and having to close is the last thing we wanted,” she added.

“But it’s been difficult for a few years, we’ve been limping along and can’t sustain the losses any longer. There are more and more applications to funding bodies these days and we’ve exhausted all the possibilities.”

Age Concern’s Forest meals service was featured on ITV just three years ago, as part of a bid to win funding from the People’s Lottery, with the cooks filmed at its Cinderford kitchens alongside a volunteer driver and customers.

Dr Pearson, who will be 84 next month and has been chair of the group for nine years, said that although the meals-on-wheels service keep people out of care and saves the community money, the handouts now available were inadequate to sustain it.

“We’ve got a fully operational commercial kitchen we opened in 2012, manned by nine staff who are going to lose their jobs, and it costs a huge amount to keep it running with constant repairs and servicing,” she said.

“We need £24,000 a month to function and £50,000 just to survive. We appreciate all the money that we are given, but it’s nowhere near enough.

“The charity has never been self-sustaining and has always relied on grants to supplement the kitchen income and support from our two charity shops,” she said.

“Unfortunately, the large grants from funders that are essential are no longer forthcoming and the charity cannot continue without them.

“Our volunteer drivers don’t get paid, but get mileage for the use of their vehicles, which costs us £20,000 a year.

“And as this is a rural area, they are driving much further, including down forest tracks, whereas drivers in Cheltenham and Gloucester might do six deliveries in one street.

“We’re all very upset that we’re having to stop a valued service for many elderly people who can no longer shop and cook for themselves.

“Our nine kitchen staff are affected, including kitchen manager Tracey Meek who has been with us for 18 years.

“And although we’re hoping to meet the leader of the Forest Council, Tim Gwilliam, before our planned closure, we don’t expect anything. They’re strapped for money and have had to raise their council tax.“

Meals will continue to be delivered until February 29. Kitchen staff have been advised of the closure and of their employment rights and letters have been sent to all clients.

Individual letters have been left at the kitchen for the volunteer drivers, and lunch club organisers have also been advised.

Forest councillor Harry Ives (Con, Lydney North) tweeted: “Tragic day. Today I learnt that Age Concern Forest of Dean are ceasing trading on February 29. The Forest NEEDS this support. Isolation is rife here. A huge loss.”

Age Concern Forest of Dean’s Befriending Service will continue and the charity shops will remain open.