The pub will open on Christmas Day to serve free food and drinks and hand out clothes to homeless people. Licensee Sean Brett and staff will forgo Christmas but he says: “I don’t want a pat on the back. People do this kind of thing all year round.”
Marylou’s Café, Chelmsford
Marylou Lowe will open her cafe for elderly, lonely, homeless and struggling families on Christmas Day, treating them to a free three-course meal. Transport can be provided and they will deliver meals to elderly folk who’d rather stay at home.
Chilli Pink, Rhyl
The restaurant is serving Indian food, kebabs and pizza to homeless, elderly and vulnerable people on Christmas Day. It will also be a drop-off point for clothing, blankets or food. “Everyone has problems but we should all be able to forget them for one day,” says owner Akeel Shakeel Aslam.
Hibernian FC, Easter Road Stadium, Edinburgh
The football club welcomes 250 vulnerable and underprivileged people to its stadium for a “happy, delicious and fun-filled Christmas lunch”. Caroling and a film screening are also planned.
Sam Lounds, Davie Masonic Hall, Plymouth
A graduate from Jamie Olver’s Fifteen Cornwall, Sam Lounds will cook free Christmas dinner for fam-ilies, older people and those who would otherwise spend the day alone. He plans to cook for 60 or 70 but is “more than happy for people to just stop by for a coffee and a chat or spend the afternoon”.
Rosie Lee Café, Dagenham
On December 23, Rosie Boyaci will offer a free festive meal for elderly people who otherwise face the festive season alone. “This time of year should be about people coming together to
celebrate and care for each other,” she says.
Lord Nelson Pub, Derby
The pub will offer homeless and underprivileged people of Derby free food and alcohol-free mulled wine on Christmas Day. Staff will donate their time for free, and are inviting members of the public to donate money as well as unwanted clothes and toiletries.
Birmingham Central Mosque, Birmingham
The mosque is running a soup kitchen every day from 5pm-6pm from December 24 to January 1. It is organised by Kasim Choudhry, who says: “It is intended that a permanent soup kitchen will be set up within the mosque grounds to serve the local community, regardless of religion and race.”
The Alexandra Pub, Wimbledon, London
Pub managers Sarah and Mick Dore have raised £2,500 in donations from their regulars to fund a free roast dinner for people who are facing spending Christmas Day alone. “There are far too many people spending Christmas alone,” says Sarah, “so this is a little thing we can do to make people happier and brighter.”
Malatso Cafe Marquee, Paisley
Café boss Jen McKay will erect a marquee in Paisley High Street on Christmas Day to host a free dinner for those who can’t afford a meal or have no-one to celebrate with. Since news of her initiative went viral on social media, 400 people got in touch to volunteer to help and she’s received donations from America and Australia.
The Pavilion Café, Ashton Gardens, Lytham St Annes
Opening on Christmas Day between midday and 3pm “for anyone stuck on their own for Christmas day, as a couple or just by themselves”, they are hosting a Bring Your Own Food get-together, free of charge, for anyone dreading a day missing their friends, family or home.
Dope Burger, Hull
“Please don’t hesitate to send anyone our way who could do with someone to be there for them on Christmas Day,” says Oliver Johnson, owner of this burger bar, which opens its doors to those living on the streets from 10am to noon on December 25, providing a free hearty meal, hot drinks, mince pies, scarves, hats and gloves.
Everyone has problems but we should all be able to forget them for one day
Moffat Manor Holiday Park, Dumfries and Galloway and Perthshire
Homeless people or those who rely on food parcels are offered a Christmas getaway by this caravan holiday park in Dumfries and Galloway and Perthshire. They can stay for free between December 20-27, with meals and entertainment included. “We want them to have a memory that will last,” maintain bosses at Moffat Manor
Holiday Park.
Cummin Up Caribbean, Lewisham, London
In their annual “Christmas Day love offering”, this London Caribbean restaurant lays on a free meal for anyone who faces the prospect of dining alone, or would just like someone to talk to.
Infusions Café Bistro, Burscough, West Lancashire
The bistro will serve a free three-course Christmas dinner on December 22 and 23, thanks to the “overwhelming generosity” of local people. “Nobody should be lonely at this time of year, and nobody should go without,” says Craig Walsh.
Lish mans room Barbers, Newcastle upon Tyne
On Christmas Eve between midday and 3pm, Lish Mans are offering a hair wash, a free haircut and free food and warm drinks for the homeless.
Kirribilli Guest house, Newquay
For a second year, Raj Odedra owner of Kirribilli Guesthouse, throws open his doors from 1pm on Christmas Day to serve free food and festive cheer to the homeless of Newquay. Tables will be decked with hats and crackers, music, mince pies and there’s a small Secret Santa gift. “It’s cold and these people have nothing to eat,” says Odedra, “Christmas is a time where everyone gets together.”
Since news of her initiative went viral on social media, 400 people got in touch to volunteer to help
Yummy’s Scouse Christmas, various locations, around Liverpool
Ex-homeless man Simon Whitter will cook dinner for up to 300 homeless and isolated folk on Christmas Day. Last year he made breakfast for 170 on Christmas Day, now he wants to top that, after raising more than £2500 through a JustGiving campaign. He will also hand out selection boxes to kids and bags of essentials to the homeless.
TY-8 Restaurant, Margate
Father John Taylor has donated nearly £500 and teamed up with TY-8 Restaurant in Margate to provide hot food and a festive gift to those who have nowhere to go on Christmas Day, open to people of all faiths who are homeless or lonely.
Take A Break Café, Hull
Julie Preston (aka dominatrix Mistress Dita) is organising a Christmas Day meal and gathering for people who are homeless, lonely or hard-up. Tea and buns are served from 10am to 2.30pm, Christmas dinner from 12.30-2.30pm. There will also be free haircuts from 10am to 12pm.
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