Disabled widower, 70, ‘living on Domino’s’ because he has no one to go shopping for him during coronavirus lockdown is saved by police after phone orders stop
- David Hoggett was living on Domino’s pizza, chocolate cookies and coke zero
- He moved to Aldershot in the 1990s and has no friends or family in the area
- His wife died in 2014 and he lives alone after moving there from Manchester
- Neighbour Jodie Cordner, 21, is doing his shopping for him and calls every day
By Georgia Simcox For Mailonline
Published: | Updated:
A widower who suffers from arthritis in his spine was living on Domino’s pizza delivery for a month while he was self-isolating due to the coronavirus crisis.
David Hoggett, 70, moved to Aldershot in the 1990s from Manchester with his wife, who died in 2014. He has no friends or family in the area.
He didn’t know anyone who could do his shopping for him so was ‘living solely on Domino’s pizza, chocolate cookies and coke zero’ for a month, SurreyLive reported.
Mr Hoggett told SurreyLive: ‘All I have is a TV, other than that it is just looking at four square walls. I am awake 20 of the 24 hours a day.
After Domino’s stopped delivering over the phone, Mr Hoggett had to walk to the supermarket. He was helped home by police officers who bought him essentials like soup
David Hoggett, 70, lived on Domino’s pizza deliveries for about a month while he was self-isolating in Aldershot. A neighbour Jodie Cordner now does his shopping for him and he receives hot meals from a school
‘I just think I will be asleep long enough when I’m dead. You might as well enjoy life as long as you can.’
He had to go to the supermarket after Domino’s stopped delivering over the phone. He was helped across a road by the public.
Police officers spotted and approached Mr Hoggett and offered to do a shop for him where they bought essentials such as soup.
They helped him to get home safely and ensured support measures were in place.
Neighbour Jodie Cordner, 21, who has known him since around 2013 is now helping him with his shopping.
Mr Hoggett told SurreyLive: ‘It has restored my faith in humanity. Not knowing anyone, a lot of people wouldn’t care, but this has been so kind.’
Miss Cordner said she felt ‘disgusted’ seeing someone older and vulnerable in such a position.
She added: ‘None of the other people in his block had offered him any help. There are two people who live there who go out multiple times and are fit and healthy.
‘Yet they didn’t bother to see if the other people in their block need help.’
Miss Cordner does his shopping at the same time she does her own and calls him to ask whether he needs anything if she’s going out.
She said: ‘I wouldn’t like to see my family in that situation and David has no friends or family. He’s said we are the closest he has to a family.’
They speak two or three times a day on the phone and also when she takes him his shopping.
Miss Cordner said Mr Hoggett is also receiving meals from Talavera School in Aldershot who are helping the vulnerable by providing hot food.
Rushmoor District Inspector Phil Mayne of Hampshire Constabulary said: ‘In this instance, my officers who were on duty at the time, went above and beyond in their efforts to come to the aid of an elderly gentleman. They engaged with him, and following hearing his story, helped to secure much-needed food and other essential items.
‘We would urge the local community not to be embarrassed or afraid to ask for help if you’re self-isolating or unable to get the support from family members and friends you would normally do so due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
‘We appreciate that these are difficult and unprecedented times, but we want to reassure the community that there are support helplines available through Rushmoor Borough Council that can help.
‘Our officers will continue to routinely patrol local areas, assisting the elderly and vulnerable if needed, while also engaging, educating and explaining to people the importance of Government guidelines.’
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