Chesterfield man who lives alone vows to 'sacrifice' Christmas to protect pregnant niece

Ian Crookes, 59, from Brimington, said he is against the new festive rules announced by the government yesterday (Tuesday, November 24) which will allow up to three households to meet up for five days between 23 and 27 December.

Leaders across the UK and scientists have warned people to continue to be cautious, saying it ‘cannot be a normal Christmas’.

The 59-year-old plans to spend December 25 by himself for the first time this year in an attempt to protect his friends and family, in particular his pregnant niece, Mary Jane who is expected to give birth a week after Christmas.

Ian, who has a large extended family, admitted there should be exceptions, so people with mental health problems which could be improved through social contact can meet loved ones and for others who fear they may miss their last Christmas with elderly relatives.

He is urging those who live with their immediate family and don’t feel isolated, to consider spending the festivities with their own household, rather than risking spreading the virus across the country by meeting up with others.

Ian said: "I think we are very close to getting the vaccine now so we can hopefully start looking forward to a better, brighter year at some point and this is just going to encourage the spread.

"When it comes to January, February time the rates will go up again and all the hard, good work that a lot of us have done will be wasted.

"There of course has to be exceptions, five years ago I spent time with my mother during her last Christmas.

"I knew it was going to be her last Christmas and I wouldn't prevent or say anybody doing something like that would be wrong."

The 59-year-old is also concerned that independent businesses in the town will struggle to survive if infections rise in January and February and Chesterfield is placed into a Tier Three lockdown.

"I think for the economy and human life it isn't a good idea", Ian added.

"As a nation now, we are perhaps at the most dangerous part because I think we are all getting fed up of it.

"But we are also becoming complacent because of the news of the vaccine.

"All people are different, I live on my own and I am quite prepared to have a Christmas on my own rather than risking catching it myself or spreading it myself if I have got it.

"Not everybody can be like that so I accept there are going to be differences in opinion and what other people need."

He explained he ‘didn’t know’ how he feels about spending Christmas alone this year.

“I may even like it, I have got a feeling I won't but who knows and as a one off thing I don't think it is a big sacrifice."

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