My name’s Edna. I’m 100 years old and have lived in Dumfries my entire life. Thanks to the support of my loving family - and organisations including Food Train - I live happily and independently in my own home. I love it here.

Living independently means a lot to me. I’m so close to my family. Nothing is a bother for them to do to help me. But knowing that my shopping is being delivered by Food Train is one less thing that I need to rely on them for. It’s such an easy service. My granddaughter, Sharron, helps me with my shopping list and we give it to Food Train. Their volunteers go to the supermarket, deliver it to my door and help me put it away.

I look forward to their visit every week. They don’t just rush in and out. I was a singer, a dress maker and worked in Marks & Spencer. I’ve always liked a laugh and a chat - and they do too. I enjoy their company. They’re great fun - so friendly. I always give them a chocolate when they leave as a wee thank-you - not that they expect anything!

I know that my family also likes it that someone else is coming in to see me. It gives them peace of mind, as well as knowing that I’ll have plenty in my cupboards.

Days like Mother’s Day are always a bit reflective for me.

My daughter, Leslie, passed away from breast cancer when she was aged just 48. We are a really close family and, after she died, I tried to be there for her three children - Sharron, Vicki and Craig - like she would be. So many of their friends still call me Granny Wells!

They say these days that they enjoy making sure that I’m well looked after because I was always there for them. They mean everything to me. As well as my three grandchildren, I have six great-grandchildren. They’re all smashing.

Some people don’t have family around them like I do. Food Train is even more important to them than it is to me. What would people without relatives living nearby do if it wasn’t for Food Train? How would they get their shopping? Who would they enjoy having a chat with?

That’s why, as we approach Mother’s Day, I’m asking everyone to consider donating to Food Train’s work. Without the support of generous donors, the volunteers from Food Train would not be able to deliver my shopping every week.

There are so many others like me who they help. Across Dumfries and Galloway, Food Train has 544 members. For 30 years now, it has been helping older people like me to live life well in their own homes, throughout the region and across Scotland.

Food Train is there for me. It’s there for others too. But, with a little more support, the charity could strengthen its work to support even more older people in our area.

Could you help by giving a donation. Every penny raised helps more older people, like me, live well at home.

Please, give if you can.

Your generosity makes a wonderful life.

Thank you for reading my story.

Edna

“Food Train’s there for me. It’s there for others too.”

This Mother’s Day, help care for the mothers and grandmothers who once cared for us.