Regina Peniston is aiming to serve more needy people than ever this Boxing Day, after receiving a fresh flurry of interest in her charitable efforts.

For the eighth year, on December 26, Mrs Peniston will offer a free Christmas dinner to those less fortunate outside Jamaica Grill on Court Street.

After speaking to The Royal Gazette last week, the 51-year-old says her phone “hasn’t stopped ringing”.

“I knew there were a lot of people out there with hearts, I just didn’t know how to get to these people and serve them,” said Mrs Peniston, a recovered drug addict who was inspired to help others after spending one Christmas Day homeless and wandering through Hamilton.

As well as offering food, several dozen people have volunteered to help Mrs Peniston and her husband Bill set up, serve food and clean up. The swell of support has been so strong that the waitress from St David’s is looking to break her record for people served, which stands at about 70.

“I want to feed 100 people and show them love at Christmas,” she said. “I want to leave them feeling that there’s hope, and that there are a lot of people in Bermuda who really care.”

• To help, call 703-0976 or e-mail reginapenistonbda@gmail.com