A RESTAURANT owner has delivered free hot meals to a Purton care home to cheer up staff and residents during the lockdown.

Ashgrove House nursing home received 35 meals from the Maharajah on High Street.

Owner Khalique Ali dished up the treat after he was approached by Richie O’Shaughnessy.

“I wanted to help because I was contacted by Richie informing me of the fact that people in Ashgrove nursing home needed a bit of cheering up, they were demoralised due to not being able to interact with their loved ones,” he said.

“So, I did what I do best and offered to feed everyone including our wonderful care workers for free.”

He added: “Our elderly community took care of us in the past during the times of our needs and I think it’s our moral duty to try and do our bit to cheer them up, so they will know that we care for them too.

“A community that gives or shares what it can at the time of ones needs especially to the old and infirm is a good community and I am lucky to be in this community.”

Richie, whose wife Emily is an activities co-ordinator at Ashgrove House, hoped Khalique’s initiative would keep the spirits up.

The 33-year-old said: “Due to Covid-19 many care homes have been locked down and this is having an effect on the residents.

“They must be finding things difficult in these tough times as they aren’t able to see any visitors or loved ones, carers are doing their care wearing face masks and visors which must also be daunting for some residents.”

Richie has been organising and collecting donations including flowers, books, puzzles and home baking.

He added: “Off his own bat Khalique very kindly decided to provide a takeaway for all of the residents.

“I cannot thank him enough for his kind donation as many businesses are suffering loss of revenue due to Covid-19 and this just shows how kind and generous Khalique is.

“It is very important that we try and put a smile on the faces of those in our communities who aren’t able to see their friends or relatives.”

Deputy manager Jeanette Grant said: “We were just so grateful to Khalique for his very kind and generous delivery of Indian food to us. It really lifted up spirits.

“We’ve all been so overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of so many people who’ve been thinking about us during these challenging times."