Each fortnight, Ben Allchin skateboards from his home in Whitebridge to Charlestown and District's Meals on Wheels branch on James Street. The service is celebrating its 50th birthday on Tuesday, and Mr Allchin, 19, is one of its youngest volunteers.
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"I started last year during the Christmas holidays. I had a lot of time and my mum suggested it to me," the University of Newcastle student said.
A quarter of the age of many of the service's clients, Mr Allchin said that overcoming the generational gap was "difficult at first". Meeting new people has become his "favourite" aspect of the job.
"You end up finding similarities," he said.
"You realise they don't get many people to talk with so this is their saving grace. If you can make them laugh or chat that really makes their day."
Mr Allchin said he hoped to continue making deliveries for the service "for as long as possible".
The branch will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a morning tea at 10am at Charlestown's Central Leagues Club.
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