More than 600 gifts were handed over to seniors at an annual Christmas giveaway event – 100 more than planned for.

Carol Clarke opened up the yard of her Pembroke home to host a Covid-19 safe Seniors Appreciation Day in partnership with Bermuda Overseas Missions.

Ms Clarke said she was able to invite more elderly people than at first planned.

She explained: “I had extra, so at the last minute I got word out to more seniors to come and collect their special gifts.”

Rena Lalgie, the Governor, attended as “Santa’s special guest” and several volunteers, or “Santa’s little helpers”, were on hand to ensure the day went without a hitch.

Ms Clarke said that Jim Butterfield, of wholesalers Butterfield & Vallis and Tim Smith, of office supplies firm AF Smith, both sponsors of the event, also showed up.

She added: “Bishop Nicholas Dill did the prayer and carried out clerical duties in memory of four people who passed away in the last year who were members of my prayer support – they prayed for success.

“I would like to thank everybody that had any part of the event, it turned out to be a great success.

“This annual event will go down in history in our family – the legacy will go on.”

Ms Clarke was awarded the Queen’s Certificate and Badge of Honour Award in 2011 for her “selfless service to the community and to seniors in particular, over many years“.

She cooks every day and feeds more than 100 people a week in addition to the Christmas event.