WITH her daughter’s wedding less than a week away, most mothers would be doing all they could to make sure the big day runs smoothly for the bride-to-be. Yet one mother from Calcot, near Chedworth, is managing to do all this and more, as she goes out of her way to make one elderly lady’s Christmas time a safe and happy one.

A GOOD Samaritan is making one elderly woman’s Christmas time truly special by ensuring she is not alone for the festive season.

Viv Wisniewski is 83 and lives in the quiet village of Yanworth, near Chedworth. She lost her sight suddenly only a few months ago and struggles with basic everyday tasks.

Volunteer Chrissy Mitchell came to the rescue just in time for Christmas. Despite her daughter’s wedding being only days away, Chrissy, 57, regularly visits Viv to keep her company over the festive season.

“I don’t know what I’d do without her,” said Viv. “She takes me shopping and we go for a drink together. We even went to afternoon tea at Fosse Manor.”

The pair first met when a friend of Viv’s made the call to North Cotswolds Volunteers, of which Chrissy is a member.

A meeting between the two was organised by the befriender scheme.

The two women only live three miles from each other, which makes it convenient for them to meet at least once a week.

Viv said Chrissy is a “gem” and they both get on extremely well. Yet Viv still struggles without her independence and often feels lonely. “I could do anything by myself a few months ago. I read, I did dress-making and I got the bus to Cirencester. Now it’s hard,” she admitted.

Chrissy already has a packed schedule this winter. Yet despite travelling up and down the country to help her recently separated daughter with her two children, visiting her husband where he lives and works in France, and helping another daughter with Christmas wedding plans, the mother of four still finds time to help Viv with everything she needs.

“It’s often little jobs that are the most important, like changing lightbulbs and checking the calendar and writing things for her,” continued Chrissy.

Chrissy said her visits to Viv gave her purpose.

“Helping Viv gives me the sense of doing something worth while,” she explained.

To contact North Cotswold Volunteers call 01608 651415 or go to cotswoldvolunteers.com