A mother inspired by the John Lewis Christmas advert to volunteer with the elderly has been turned down by Age UK - because she wanted to take her baby with her.

Christina Savage, 33, of Wigan, Greater Manchester, sent an email to the charity offering to help - believing that elderly people would benefit from interaction with her 17-month-old son Reuben.

But because she has no childcare and would have had to have taken Reuben with her on any visits, Age UK said she could not volunteer because it would be against its ‘insurance and procedures’.

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Family: Christina Savage (left), pictured with her husband Ralph (right), sent an email to Age UK offering to help - believing that elderly people would benefit from interaction with her 17-month-old son Reuben (right)

Not allowed: Because Mrs Savage has no childcare and would have had to take Reuben (above) with her on any visits, Age UK said she could not volunteer because it would be against its ‘insurance and procedures’

Grandson: Reuben, pictured in the arms of his grandparents Judith and Bjarne, is not allowed to accompany Mrs Savage - and Age UK says this is because many of its roles involve contact with vulnerable older people

Mrs Savage was shocked and upset by the charity’s blunt response in a one-line email, particularly in light of the John Lewis ‘Man on the Moon’ ad featuring a child reaching out to an elderly man.

However, Age UK has since insisted that many of its roles involve contact with vulnerable older people - and children cannot accompany volunteers for their own protection.

But describing a case of ‘policy over compassion’, PR worker Mrs Savage said: ‘I was very surprised that they turned down my offer without even considering it.

‘The charity’s own campaign highlights just how many lonely old people there are in the UK. I am sure some of those would love to spend time with a young child.

‘It’s such a shame that Age UK feel they need to turn down help because of “company procedure”, as volunteers are the heart and soul of any charity.

‘It saddens me that someone could be sitting alone for days, weeks or months with no-one to visit them, all because of a charity's policy.’

Generation game: Mrs Savage's baby Reuben is seen with his great-grandparents John and Sonja Nicolaisen

Advert: Mrs Savage was shocked and upset by the charity’s blunt response in a one-line email, particularly in light of the John Lewis ‘Man on the Moon’ campaign featuring a child reaching out to an elderly man.

Denmark-born Mrs Savage, who is married to journalist Ralph and has no other relatives in Britain, often takes Reuben to visit elderly neighbours because he rarely sees his own grandparents.

She added: ‘Mine and Ralph’s parents absolutely adore Reuben, and so do his great-grandparents who are coming to visit shortly from Denmark.

Mother and child: Denmark-born Mrs Savage often takes Reuben to visit elderly neighbours because he rarely sees his own grandparents

‘I don’t think there is anything better than seeing grandparents spend time with their grandchildren. It’s such a nice thing to watch.

‘Our son loves spending time with anyone who will give him attention, while our retired neighbours who don’t have any grandchildren are so happy when we go to visit. The benefits are mutual.’

After asking about Age UK’s ‘befriending/visiting service’, she emailed to ask: ‘I’d love to come but can I just check first if it is allowed to bring children to these visiting sessions? I don’t have enough free time without my little boy but have got lots of time with him, that’s all.’

But the brief response from the charity simply read: ‘Dear Christina, I am really sorry but our insurance and our procedures would not allow children to visit. Many thanks.’

However, John McArdle, chief officer at Age UK in Wigan, said: ‘Many of our volunteering roles involve contact with vulnerable older people and as such we take duty of care to all parties involved incredibly seriously; both for the volunteer and the older person involved.

‘Our current policy also protects children and this means that staff and volunteers are asked not to take children on visits as every situation is different and therefore the environment and how a situation may change cannot be predicted. Unfortunately this means that we are not able to take up the kind offer made to support older people in the area at this time.’

He added that the charity was very appreciative of all the work done by its ‘valuable volunteers’, and said they were ‘integral to the work of Age UK Wigan’.

It's such a shame that Age UK feel they need to turn down help because of 'company procedure' Christina Savage

And Sian Thompson, who handles the affairs of vulnerable people with no relatives for Simpson Millar Solicitors, said: ‘It is vitally important that our elderly people remain part of the community, and that involves children.

‘Interaction with other people is absolutely key to the health and wellbeing of older people, and the opportunity to revel in the sound of little feet and voices is one I am certain would be treasured, not feared.